Magellanic Oystercatcher
Haematopus leucopodus
A boldly patterned large and chunky shorebird of southern South America and Falklands. Favors rocky coastlines and adjacent river mouths, but also frequent on nearby grasslands and lakeshores. Associates readily with other oystercatchers. Told from American Oystercatcher by its glossy black head and upperparts that lack the white shoulder spur. In flight the distinctive upperwing pattern with big white panel on trailing edge separates it from American. At close range, also note the yellow eyering (red on American). Voice is also very distinct from other oystercatchers.
Identification
The Magellanic oystercatcher has a length between 42 and 46 cm (17 and 18 in). The male weighs around 600 g (21 oz) and the female is a little heavier. This bird has a long, orange beak, yellow eye and eye ring, and yellow legs. The head, breast, back, wings and tail are black and the underparts are white, as are the feathers on the inner part of the wing which can be seen in flight. It is very similar in appearance to the American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus), but can be distinguished by the yellow ring of bare skin that surrounds its yellow eye and the white secondary feathers. No other species of oystercatcher has these two features, and it is also the only New World species to have a black rather than a brown back. The call is similar to other oystercatchers, a repeated high-pitched "pee-pee".
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Haematopus leucopodus
- Authority
- Garnot, 1826
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Family
- Haematopodidae
- Genus
- Haematopus
Range and habitat
This species is native to the southern tip of South America. Its range includes southern Argentina, Tierra del Fuego and other nearby islands, and the Falkland Islands. It is present on South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands but its status there is unclear. It breeds inland on upland grasslands but lives on the coast outside breeding season.
- Breeding range
- SA : coastal and inland sc Chile and sc Argentina to Cape Horn and Falkland Is.
- Non-breeding range
- to coasts
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
When inland during breeding season, the Magellanic oystercatcher feeds largely on earthworms and insect larvae, probing soft ground and mud with its sharp beak. At other times of year when at the coast it forages for mussels and limpets and feeds on crabs and polychaete worms.<p>When disturbed near the nest it engages in several strategies to divert attention from its eggs and chicks. These include false-brooding, when it moves to sit on an imaginary nest site, and tail-flagging, a ritual aggressive display involving raising tail and wings. It also has a distinctive peeping call to warn off intruders.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Puff-backed Honeyeater
Meliphaga aruensis
A medium-sized honeyeater of lowland and foothill forest and edge. Typical of this group of honeyeaters, with olive plumage, yellow cheek and streak in the base of the bill. Travels singly or in pairs in the undergrowth or midstory where it likes to stay hidden. Very similar to other closely-related species and co-occurs with several, but Puff-backed is larger and stockier than most and has a thicker bill. Voice, a grating 3-note call and a low “Chup!”.
Western Bearded-Greenbul
Criniger barbatus
A big, chunky, relatively colorful rainforest greenbul. Mostly olive-green, with a reddish tail and a mostly gray head. The throat feathers are long and often puffed out; they are rich yellow in most of the range, but pale yellow in Nigeria. Found in the understory and at middle levels of rainforest and gallery forest. Usually in small, noisy groups that often join mixed flocks. Similar to Yellow-bearded Greenbul, but larger, with a puffier throat and some gray in the plumage. Similar to Red-tailed Greenbul, but larger, and never shows a pure white throat. Somewhat similar to Icterine Greenbul, but larger, and much darker on the breast and belly. The loud and distinctive call is a rising, two-part “truwa-treeeaa.”
Coppery Metaltail
Metallura theresiae
Distinctively colored hummingbird restricted to treeline forest and scrub in the Andes of northern and central Peru. No other small hummingbird in its range has coppery plumage; also note the green throat (indistinct on female), short bill, and white spot behind the eye. Tail is faintly greenish underneath and bluish on top. Perches atop bushes when not feeding, and quickly chases away other intruding hummingbirds while giving rapid, high-pitched squeaks.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.