Sooty Oystercatcher
Haematopus fuliginosus
Foreshore, Black Rock, Melbourne, S Vic IMG_2349 20211011 - fuliginosus small red orbital ring, pale claws. Tail extends beyondtips of folded wings. Male. (Female has brown flecks in iris, longer, broader bill.)
Notes: Heavy-set, all-black, tail longer than folded wings,
cf Australian Pied Oystercatcher.
Bill
bright orange-red; iris scarlet. Juvenile duller, browner, w. pale buff or
white feather tips; brown
iris. Nominate fuliginosus has narrow, bright red to
orange-red orbital ring & bone-yellow claws.
Ssp opthalmicus has
a prominent fleshy yellowish to orange orbital ring, swollen in front of eye;
dark claws. Broad hybrid zones. Prefer rocky tidal shorelines.
Range from Morcombe & Stewart©(modified)
Two Rocks, SW WA IMG_7282 20181012 - fuliginosus fishing line tangle
Foreshore, Bellerive, SE Tas IMG_7791 20210613 - fuliginosus
Foreshore, Black Rock, Melbourne, S Vic IMG_0478 20210826 - fuliginosus
Two Rocks, SW WA IMG_7284 20181012 - fuliginosus immature. CLICK for another Foreshore, Black Rock, Melbourne,S Vic 20210805
Cape Hillsborough, NE Qld IMG_1690 20200809 - ophthalmicus male(?) big yellow orbital ring, dark claws.
Ellis Beach, FN Qld IMG_7916 20180308 - ophthalmicus male?
Ellis Beach, FN Qld IMG_7917 20180308 - ophthalmicus female?
Cape Hillsborough, NE Qld IMG_1672 20200809 - ophthalmicus
Cape Hillsborough, NE Qld IMG_1695+1698 20200809 - ophthalmicus
Foreshore, Black Rock, Melbourne, S Vic IMG_2358 20211011 - fuliginosus
Iluka, NE NSW MVI_1816 20190624 - fuliginosus