Variable Oystercatcher Haematopus unicolor

Variable Oystercatcher
Variable Oystercatcher
Variable Oystercatcher
The Variable Oystercatcher is endemic to New Zealand. Plumage can be completely black, mottled with white on chest or similar to Pied form (but differences in shape and where the white bits start). On Stewart Island the plumage of the "Variable" doesn't vary - it is, as New Zealand rugby players, all black. The eye, beak and legs on adults is red. Juveniles have pinkish legs and brown eyes.
Variable Oystercatcher
Variable Oystercatcher
Variable Oystercatcher
Variable Oystercatcher with chicks
black line

South Island Pied Oystercatcher

Haematopus finschii

South Island Pied Oystercatcher
South Island Pied Oystercatcher
South Island Pied Oystercatcher
The South Island Pied Oystercatcher of New Zealand has similar plumage to the Pied Oystercatcher of Australia (Haematopus longirostris), but the border of white with black on the back is a different shape. It also has a longer red bill and shorter red legs. Both look similar to the Eurasian or Common Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) prevalent in northern Europe.
South Island Pied Oystercatcher The adult has a red eye, bill and red legs; the juvenile has a brown eye, paler bill and pinkish legs.
South Island Pied Oystercatcher
South Island Pied Oystercatcher They gather in small flocks when not breeding.