PORT PHILLIP BAY


Sooty Oystercatcher 

Haematopus fuliginosus

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

See below for information.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Chordata
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Charadriiformes
Family:
Haematopodidae
Genus:
Haematopus
Species:
fuliginosus

General Description

Body black, legs pink, bill red-orange. Red ring around eye. Body up to 48 cm long.

Biology

Sooty Oystercatchers are usually seen in pairs, but form flocks in the non-breeding season, from January to August.

Habitat

Rocky coastal areas and islands, sometimes intertidal mudflats.

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Australia.

Species Group

Birds Oystercatchers

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)

Water Column

Above surface

Max Size

48 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Near Threatened
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Least Concern

Author

article author Longmore, N. W.

Wayne Longmore is a Senior Collection manager of terrestrial vertebrates at Museum Victoria.

Author

article author O'Brien, R.

Rory O'Brien is a Collection Manager of terrestrial vertebrates at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Longmore, N. W. & O'Brien, R., 2011, Sooty Oystercatcher, Haematopus fuliginosus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 27 Jul 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/7939

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