Jam Jerrup Water Tank Art - Victoria

Jam Jerrup Water Tank Art - Complete June 2024



Bird Overview

The Australian Pied Oystercatcher is found in coastal areas throughout the Australian continent except for areas of unbroken sea cliffs such as the Great Australian Bight. They seldom allow a close approach and are readily disturbed by people. The white breast and belly distinguish the Pied Oystercatcher from the closely related Sooty Oystercatcher, H. fuliginosus, which has all black plumage. Closely related forms are found in almost every continent in the world.

Identification

The Australian Pied Oystercatcher is black with a white breast and belly, and a bright orange-red bill, eye-ring and legs,and a red eye. Young birds are similar to adults, but lack the intense red-orange bare parts, and are brown rather than black. Their average size is 50cm.

Songs and Calls

They are mostly silent when feeding, but may give a whistled ‘peepapeep’ or ‘pleep-pleep’ in flight. Bird call recorded by: Marc Anderson