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Sooty OystercatcherSize: 40-52 cm |
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Habitat |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
Sooty Oystercatchers are endemic to Australia. They are found around the entire seaboard of the continent, including Bass Strait and the coastline of Tasmania. They are not found anywhere inland.
Sooty Oystercatchers prefer rocky coasts, as can be seen in the photos below.
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Sightings |
We first spotted Sooty Oystercatchers at Myall Lakes National Park, 50 km north of Newcastle, NSW, in June 2009. In January 2011 spotted by us at Urunga Heads, NSW, followed by a spotting in the Manning River estuary near Old Bar, NSW, in June 2011.
Sooty Oystercatchers were spotted and photographed by C. Kellenberg in February 2009, at Point Plomer, Limeburners Creek Nature Reserve, NSW.
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Photos |
Sooty Oystercatcher in search of food
Here a bird that found itself a juicy bit
Lateral view of a Sooty Oystercatcher; photo courtesy
of C. Kellenberg
Here a bird in different light conditions; photo courtesy
of C. Kellenberg
Three out of four birds spotted at Urunga Heads in January 2011
Trivia challenge: What is that? Answer: 3 Sooty Oystercatchers in flight
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Food |
Sooty Oystercatches feed on oysters and other shellfish that they pry loose with their powerful bills.
