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Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute	Pied Oystercatcher	Variable Oystercatcher
Scientific Name	Haematopus longirostris	Haematopus unicolor
Order	Charadriiformes	Charadriiformes
Family	Haematopodidae	Haematopodidae
Conservation Status	Least Concern	Least Concern
Length	—	—
Wingspan	55.1 cm (21.7 in)	54.1 cm (21.3 in)
Weight	617.0 g (21.76 oz)	683.1666666666666 g (24.10 oz)
Diet	--	--
Clutch Size	2	2-3
Population Trend	—	—

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Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

🏖️ Coastal

Pied Oystercatcher only

🌾 Grassland 🌿 Wetland

Variable Oystercatcher only

None

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Conservation Status

Least Concern

Pied Oystercatcher

Least Concern

Variable Oystercatcher

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About These Birds

Pied Oystercatcher

Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris) is a large 40–47 cm oystercatcher of Australia and New Guinea. Black and white patterning; bright orange-red bill; pink legs; orange eye ring. Inhabits sandy beaches, estuaries, and tidal flats around Australian coastline. Common and familiar beach bird.

Variable Oystercatcher

Variable Oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor) is a large 46–49 cm oystercatcher endemic to New Zealand's coastline. Plumage ranges from all-black to pied (black and white) within the same population. Orange-red bill; pink legs. Inhabits rocky and sandy shores around both main islands and offshore islands. Feeds on bivalves, worms, and crustaceans.

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More Birds to Explore

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