South Island Oystercatcher
Haematopus finschi
Heavy-set black-and-white shorebird, affectionately known by New Zealand birders as “SIPO” (rhymes with “typo”). Shows a distinctive red eye, long thick reddish bill, and thick pale-pink feet and legs. Found breeding along braided riverbeds, pastures, and lakes in the South Island of New Zealand, with a few breeding records on the North Island. Most of the population migrates north to estuaries, harbors, and sandy beaches in the North Island and northern South Island. Regular vagrant to Australia during the winter. Often heard giving distinct “kleep” call. Similar to pied-morph Variable Oystercatcher in New Zealand; look for SIPO’s smaller size, sharp border between black and white on lower chest, and extensive white on rump and back. Distinguished from Pied Oystercatcher in Australia by smaller size, longer and thinner bill, shorter legs, and more extensive white up the back and on the wings.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Haematopus finschi
- Authority
- Martens, GH, 1897
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Haematopodidae
- Genus
- Haematopus
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- AU : inland South I. (New Zealand)
- Non-breeding range
- to coastal North and Stewart is. (New Zealand)
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Bird Calls
Other Birds
White-throated Caracara
Daptrius albogularis
Uncommon in southern Andes; range does not overlap with Mountain Caracara. Favors open habitats above treeline, but also ranges lower to scavenge at dumps and in farmland with open trees. Often associates with Chimango and Crested Caracaras at the dump outside Ushuaia, Argentina. Sails, soars, and tumbles easily on updrafts. Adult is handsome and strikingly patterned black-and-white with creamy white underparts and a bold white tail tip. Juvenile is rather similar to smaller Chimango Caracara, but distinguished by black (not pale) bill.
Tufted Titmouse
Baeolophus bicolor
Common backyard bird in the eastern U.S. Look for its overall gray plumage with paler underparts and orangey sides. Crest is gray, but forehead is black. Often in flocks with chickadees and other songbirds. Listen for clear, whistled "peter-peter-peter." Visits feeders.
White-throated Flycatcher
Empidonax albigularis
Rather drab, small flycatcher of marshes and semiopen areas with bushes and hedges; winters mainly in lowland marshes. Flicks tail upward when perched. Looks similar to several other species in the genus Empidonax. Best identified by its distinctive call: a burry, slightly sneezy “rreeah,” quite different from Willow Flycatcher, which often occurs alongside White-throated in winter. Also note the whitish throat, buffy wingbars and flanks, and the lack of a distinct pale eyering.
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