South Island Oystercatcher
A species of Oystercatchers, Also known as Sipo Scientific name : Haematopus finschi Genus : Oystercatchers
South Island Oystercatcher, A species of Oystercatchers
Also known as:
Sipo
Botanical name: Haematopus finschi
Genus: Oystercatchers
Content
Description General Info
Description
The South Island oystercatcher is easily identifiable as a pied oystercatcher – a large wader with striking black and white plumage, long red-orange bill and red legs. It is distinguished from the pied morph of the variable oystercatcher by a white lower back, more white on the wing, and a demarcation line of black and white further forward on the breast, and from the pied oystercatcher of Australia by a longer bill and shorter legs, as well as the forward demarcation line of white on the back being pointed rather than square. It is 46 cm in length; its wingspan is 80–86 cm; it weighs 550 g. 
Size
46 cm
Colors
Black
Red
White
Orange
Life Expectancy
25 years
Nest Placement
Ground
Feeding Habits
South Island Oystercatcher primarily consumes molluscs and worms, foraging along shorelines with specialized bill techniques for extracting prey. Adaptations facilitate feeding on a variety of benthic invertebrates.
Habitat
The south Island Oystercatcher, a coastal bird, predominantly inhabits the inland braided river systems, open paddocks, cultivated lands, lake shores, subalpine tundra, and herbfields of broad southern regions. During the non-breeding season, it typically migrates to coastal areas, gathering in large flocks at estuaries, bays, beaches, sandflats, and intertidal mudflats. The south Island Oystercatcher is found in temperate coastal environments, with its habitat spanning from inland riverine areas to diverse estuarine and marine ecosystems in broader geographical zones.
Dite type
Aquatic invertebrate eater
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Distribution Area
The South Island oystercatcher is endemic to New Zealand where it breeds inland on the South Island, after which most of the population moves to estuaries and harbours on the North Island. It has been recorded occasionally as a vagrant on Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island and the eastern coast of mainland Australia. Its breeding habitat comprises braided river systems, open paddocks and cultivated land, lake beaches, subalpine tundra and herbfields. Non-breeding habitat includes coastal estuaries, bays, beaches, sandflats and intertidal mudflats.
Species Status
The population of this species declined, mainly because of hunting, during the late 19th century and early 20th century but, with legal protection since 1940, has since been increasing. In 2002 the total population was estimated to be 110,000. Its conservation status is of Least Concern.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Shorebirds Family
Oystercatchers Genus
Oystercatchers Species
South Island Oystercatcher 
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