Pied Oyster Catcher

Otherwise known as South Island pied oyster catcher or by the Maori name Torea.

I learned today that the pure black oystercatcher which we see a lot around here is actually uncommon and is called the Variable Oyster Catcher. I had thought it the same bird, and just a different stage in growth. The pied Oyster Catcher is found world wide, but the Variable Oyster Catcher is only found in NZ.

Just to confuse things, the Variable Oyster Catcher is the only oyster catcher in the world to have varying plumage forms. It can come in three colours - black, pied, or a hybrid mix of them both.