The pied oystercatcher is a species of oystercatcher. It is a wading bird native to Australia and commonly found on its coastline. The similar South Island pied oystercatcher occurs in New Zealand.
Region
Coastal Australia
Typical Environment
Found around much of Australia’s coastline, including Tasmania, especially on sandy ocean beaches, tidal flats, estuaries, and sheltered bays. It favors wide, undisturbed beaches with nearby intertidal feeding grounds. It also uses rocky shores and sandspits where bivalves and marine worms are abundant. Breeding occurs on open sand above the high-tide mark, often near wrack lines. Urbanized and heavily disturbed beaches are generally avoided for nesting.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 50 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Despite the name, it rarely eats true oysters; it specializes in clams and other bivalves, prying or hammering them open with its strong bill. Pairs often defend the same stretch of beach year-round, nesting in simple scrapes above the high-tide line. Human disturbance, off-leash dogs, and beach vehicles can reduce breeding success, so seasonal protections are important.
A pair of adult pied oystercatchers in Tasmania, Australia. The one on the left is flicking a small mussel into its mouth.
Temperament
wary and strongly territorial during breeding
Flight Pattern
strong, direct flight with steady wingbeats; often low over surf with conspicuous white wingbar
Social Behavior
Typically forms long-term monogamous pairs that defend beach territories year-round. Nests are shallow scrapes in sand or shell grit, with both adults incubating and tending precocial chicks. Outside the breeding season, small flocks may form at rich feeding or roost sites.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Loud, clear piping calls, often rendered as sharp ‘kleep’ notes given in series. Display flights include rapid, excited piping that carries over surf noise.
Plumage
Striking black-and-white contrast with black head, neck, and upperparts and clean white underparts.
Diet
Feeds primarily on bivalves such as clams and mussels, along with marine worms and small crustaceans. Uses its robust, laterally compressed bill to pry, stab, or hammer shells open. Often targets freshly exposed prey on receding tides and may leave shell middens at favored spots.
Preferred Environment
Intertidal zones of sandy beaches, mudflats, estuaries, and rocky shorelines. Forages along the swash zone and on exposed flats at low tide, moving to roosts just above the high-tide line when tides rise.
