Australian Pied Oystercatcher
Bushland Beach, Townsville in December 2021.
They are a large wader with black head, breast and upper parts with distinct white underparts. The legs, bill and eye ring are bright red.
Bushland Beach, Townsville in January 2021.
They form flocks in autumn and winter and love sandy beaches, sandbars and mudflats.
Bushland Beach, Townsville in January 2022.
They are a common bird to see but usually take to flight if you approach them directly.
Girramay National Park, January 2022.
The sexes are a like but the female has a longer bill than the male. From this photo that looks like the female on the left.
Bushland Beach, Townsville in January 2021.
They feed on mollusc and crustaceans using their bill for prising, stabbing and hammering.
Girramay National Park, January 2022.
Between the legs and bill of this bird you can see the discarded shell of what it has in its beak and is about to eat. This bird removed the muscle from the shell in one motion as it withdrew it from the sand.
Bushland Beach, Townsville in January 2021.
Immature birds have a dark tipped bill and brownish plumage as shown with the bird above. The eye area is also browner.
