Sooty Oystercatcher vs African Oystercatcher

Haematopus fuliginosus compared with Haematopus moquini

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Sooty Oystercatcher African Oystercatcher
Scientific Name Haematopus fuliginosus Haematopus moquini
Order Charadriiformes Charadriiformes
Family Haematopodidae Haematopodidae
Conservation Status Least Concern Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 56.6 cm (22.3 in) 53.4 cm (21.0 in)
Weight 737.4 g (26.01 oz) 690.3333333333334 g (24.35 oz)
Diet -- --
Clutch Size 2-4 1-2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Sooty Oystercatcher only

None

African Oystercatcher only

None

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Sooty Oystercatcher

Least Concern

African Oystercatcher

About These Birds

Sooty Oystercatcher

Sooty Oystercatcher (Haematopus fuliginosus) is a large 40–47 cm all-black oystercatcher of Australian coastlines. Uniform sooty-black plumage; orange-red bill; pinkish legs. Inhabits rocky coasts, offshore islands, and rocky headlands around the entire Australian continent. Feeds on molluscs, echinoderms, and worms.

African Oystercatcher

African Oystercatcher (Haematopus moquini) is a large 42–46 cm all-black oystercatcher endemic to South Africa and Namibia. Glossy black plumage; orange-red bill; pinkish legs; orange eye ring. Inhabits sandy beaches, rocky shores, and tidal flats along the southern African coast.

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