The sooty oystercatcher is a species of oystercatcher. It is a wading bird endemic to Australia and commonly found on its coastline. It prefers rocky coastlines, but will occasionally live in estuaries. All of its feathers are black. It has a red eye, eye ring and bill, and pink legs.
Region
Australian coastlines
Typical Environment
Found along much of Australia’s coastline, including offshore islands and Tasmania, with a strong preference for exposed rocky shores and reefs. It frequents wave-washed platforms, rock pools, and boulder-strewn headlands, and is less common on sandy beaches. Birds will also use sheltered bays, estuaries, and tidal inlets, especially where rocky substrates occur. Roosting often takes place on offshore rocks or quiet headlands, and nesting sites are chosen above the high-tide mark on rock ledges, pebble banks, or among coastal vegetation.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 50 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A striking coastal specialist, the sooty oystercatcher has an all-black plumage that makes its vivid red bill and eye ring stand out. It pries open or hammers shellfish on wave-washed rocks and often feeds around low tide. Pairs are typically long-term and defend rocky shoreline territories. Nesting is a simple scrape above the high-tide line, where human disturbance and predators can impact success.
Sooty oystercatcher eggs in a nest on the south coast of New South Wales
Temperament
vigilant and territorial
Flight Pattern
strong, direct flight with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small groups, with bonded pairs maintaining territories on rocky shores. Both adults share incubation and chick-rearing duties, nesting in a shallow scrape above the high tide. Outside the breeding season, small flocks may form at favored roosts and feeding sites.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are sharp, ringing whistles and piping peeps, often given in flight or when alarmed. Calls accelerate into excited series during territorial disputes or when intruders approach the nest.
Plumage
Uniform glossy black with dense, compact feathers suited to coastal spray.
Diet
Feeds mainly on intertidal invertebrates such as mussels, limpets, chitons, crabs, and marine worms. It uses its strong chisel-like bill to hammer or pry open shells and to probe crevices. Prey is often carried to anvil rocks for processing, and feeding success is closely tied to tidal cycles.
Preferred Environment
Forages on exposed rocky reefs, platforms, and rock pools in the intertidal zone. It occasionally visits estuarine flats and sheltered bays where rocky substrates occur.
