Wednesday 12 June 2013

Wild Bird Wednesday 48 - Sooty Oystercatchers

I had hoped to be able to get some shots of Sooty Oystercatcher this weekend - but whales and albatross got in the way!  So, I am posting some older shots as I am in an Oystercatcher frame of mind!

The Sooty Oystercatcher (Haematopus fuliginosus)  is found round all of Australia - but Flinders is the closest place to Melbourne you can see them.  And while I did see one - it was just a black Oystercatcher shaped blob in the distance.

When you unpack the meaning of the binomial name - or in my case look up what it means in a book - it comes out "sooty blood-red foot"  - the blood red foot bit being the genus and the sooty the second part of the name.  (You cant claim these post are grippingly educational!)

This species is normally found on rocky shores - and only very occasionally in the company of the black and white Pied Oystercatcher.  So the picture of this species on a beach, with the other species in the background is a little unusual.

I really like these birds and could watch them for ages.







Now it's your turn.  Remember - visit, comment and invite - the more the merrier!




54 comments:

  1. The Sooty and the American Black Oystercatchers look very similar. I think the latter's bill and eyes are not so intensely red. Nice series, Stewart!

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  2. Terrific captures as always, Stewart!! Handsome fellow he is!!

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  3. I love the reddish/orange eyes and bill! The black plumage is a great contrast! Nice shots!

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  4. I really like the colour of the legs contrasting the black of its feathers. I bet this bird is a hoot to watch.

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  5. Lovely serie of photos!
    The American Black Oystercatchers is new for me!
    Great photowork!

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  6. Somebody got it wrong ... "Blood Red Foot"! That is Pink! Pink feet and Orange beaks and maybe, just maybe, a blood red eye, but I would say probably an orange eye to match the beak ... OMG is there no end to nature? I know why you love these guys, they are absolutly fantastic. And educational, Stewart ... you are always educational. I have learned about more birds I had never heard of before from you than any other source. So yes, your posts are very educational. I just have to wonder what Mother Nature was drinking when she came up with the Sooty Oystercatchers ... very creative :) Have a wonderful week, Stewart.

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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  7. That was a new one to mee ,we have the black and white one her on the islan were i am now ,have a lovley evening ,Nette

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  8. They are quite handsome with their red/orange legs.beak and bright eye. Great shots!
    My bird education is always especially enlightened here Stewart.

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  9. I love these guys! We see some kind of Oystercatcher on the Pacific Coast and they are probably here too, but I haven't seen them.

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  10. We don't have the DARK oystercatchers here in this area, but I must tell you, I love 'em that you shared. AND their eyes are neat. I can see why you'd like to watch them forever!!

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  11. I really like the sootiness and the blood red feet. Really cool looking birds. From Findlay

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  12. Fantastic photos ! Joining you from Ontario Canada.

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  13. Wonderful blog and photos . I am your newest follower ! Have a lovely day !

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  14. Nice shots on this sooty one! I searched and found out that it only lives in Australia. We have the Eurasian Oysterchatcher here in Sweden!
    Have a nice week! /Pia

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  15. Lovely shots and the second one is the best- bird marching! I have seen this bird somewhere in Central California coast.

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  16. I have to smile BIG, not many can say that "whales and albatross" get in the way of taking photographs...
    How exciting that you can see these marvelous creatures!
    The Sooty Oystercatchers certainly are quite handsome and we can look forward to seeing those Albatross another time...yes;')
    great captures taken as always. Thank you Stewart for being such a gracious host for Wildbird Wednesday...much fun!

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  17. Fantastic post Stewart... wonderful birds to see.

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  18. Wonderful series of shots.

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  19. I have had a quick glimpse of the Black Oystercatcher on the Oregon coast and lots of sightings of the American Oystercatcher. But, this Sooty Oystercatcher is a new one. Awesome photos, Stewart! Thanks for hosting and have a great week.

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  20. Hi Stewart, thanks for visiting my blog. I have added my entry. Brilliant photos of your beautiful shore birds. Really enjoyed them.

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  21. the sootys are photogenic Stewart and I especially like the second one in full stride ...

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  22. Great photos of the 'Sooties'. I think the ones I occasionally see out at Inskip Point are just passing through.

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  23. I like the one that is strutting along. He is on a mission. Fish to fry I guess.

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  24. I have never seen one of these and what a treat. They are beautiful

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  25. What a beautifully colour co-ordinated bird!

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  26. I have seen them on the flat stretch of beach between Goolwa and the Murray mouth.
    I only wish I could see another albatross. I have only seen one, like the Ancient Mariner, on board ship and if I had had a camera, I would have shot it, just like him.

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  27. Great series. The second shot looks like it's doing a power-walk on the beach. :)
    Thanks for hosting!

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  28. That 2nd photo reminds me of a senior citizen stalking along saying "I'm getting in my 10,000 steps today." They are so clumsy looking they end up looking rather endearing. Intense gaze and that bill looks quite businesslike.

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  29. Cute bird, love the colors.

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  30. I do enjoy your excellent pictures and yarns Stewart! As a fellow Victorian, the birds are like familiar locals & it's great to read the global response!

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  31. Marvelous photos of this special bird. Great !

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  32. Hi Stewart,
    Beautiful oystercatchers are this.
    Here in the Netherlands they look very different.
    Regards, Irma

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  33. Hi Stewart...A brilliant looking chap in his black suit, and orange accessories!!
    Grace

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  34. The eye is mesmerizing!

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  35. Love those orange beaks and eyes!

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  36. Nice down low at bird level shots Stewart.

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  37. not a bad distraction Stewart....

    Lovely images from your archive though

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  38. Those are some strikingly red eyes! Very nice Stewart.

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  39. That second picture looks like he's out for his morning walk! Love the orange eyes!

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  40. Lovely shots Stewart. I recognise the black/white oystercatchers from over here but not the sooty ones

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  41. I love Oystercatchers too!! And I can also watch an photograph them for hours!
    I have only once seen both Sooty Oystercatchers and Pied Oystercatchers together. I only have to drive 15 mins to Moreton Bay to see plenty of the Pied variety among other shorebirds.
    I usually see the Sootys on the Gold Coast beaches wandering around the rocks... their call gives them away!

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  42. Hi Stewart!!!Exellent shots!!!Very preety birds!!!Have a lovely day!!
    Dimi..

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  43. This bird looks exactly like our Black Oystercatcher over here in the states. Super captures Stewart!

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  44. This bird looks exactly like our Black Oystercatcher over here in the states. Super captures Stewart!

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  45. Nice one of the Sooty Oystercatcher.

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  46. Wow, our Black Oystercatcher is very similar. Who knew? Ours is H. bachmani and lives along the coast from the Aleutians to Baja. Some have found their way inland to the Georgia Strait and northern Puget Sound. There must be some genes in common. See if you agree: http://wildfidalgo.blogspot.com/2013/03/my-favorite-shorebird.html

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