Oystercatchers (Haematopodidae)
Sooty Oystercatcher (Haematopus fuliginosus) - HBW 3, p. 324
French: Huîtrier fuligineux
German: Rußausternfischer
Spanish: Ostrero Negro Australiano
Other common names: Spectacled Oystercatcher (opthalmicus)
Taxonomy: Haematopus fuliginosus Gould, 1845, Tasmania.
Occasional hybridization recorded with H. longirostris. Form opthalmicus generally considered to be a race of present species, based on a putative region of intergrading with nominate fuliginosus in W Australia, where both taxa are rare, but no good evidence of interbreeding; also, some confusion regarding range limits of both forms, with opthalmicus usually said to be restricted to Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula; striking differences in eye-ring colour suggest that opthalmicus may well be a distinct species; field and laboratory research requir.. View all taxonomy...
Taxonomy: Haematopus fuliginosus Gould, 1845, Tasmania.
Occasional hybridization recorded with H. longirostris. Form opthalmicus generally considered to be a race of present species, based on a putative region of intergrading with nominate fuliginosus in W Australia, where both taxa are rare, but no good evidence of interbreeding; also, some confusion regarding range limits of both forms, with opthalmicus usually said to be restricted to Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula; striking differences in eye-ring colour suggest that opthalmicus may well be a distinct species; field and laboratory research required, in order to clarify this case (see page 309); emendation of name to ophthalmicus is not justified. Two subspecies currently recognized.
Occasional hybridization recorded with H. longirostris. Form opthalmicus generally considered to be a race of present species, based on a putative region of intergrading with nominate fuliginosus in W Australia, where both taxa are rare, but no good evidence of interbreeding; also, some confusion regarding range limits of both forms, with opthalmicus usually said to be restricted to Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula; striking differences in eye-ring colour suggest that opthalmicus may well be a distinct species; field and laboratory research required, in order to clarify this case (see page 309); emendation of name to ophthalmicus is not justified. Two subspecies currently recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- opthalmicus Castelnau & Ramsay, 1877 - coast and islands of N Australia from Shark Bay (CW Western Australia) to Lady Elliot I (SE Queensland).
- fuliginosus Gould, 1845 - coast and islands of Australia, from Houtman Abrolhos Is (CW Western Australia) round S coast and up E coast to about Brisbane (SE Queensland); Tasmania.
- Least Concern Enlarge map
-
Foraging Locality Montague Island, New South Wales, Australia
Stephen Wallace 8 February 2012 1 year ago 55 sec 4 -
A bird foraging along a beach. Locality Lake Tabourie, New South Wales, Australia (ssp fuliginosus)
Stephen Wallace 6 February 2012 1 year ago 35 sec 4 -
A bird sitting in a rock pool and bathing, before being joined by a second bird Locality Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia (ssp fuliginosus)
Nick Talbot 28 April 2006 6 years ago 11 sec 4 -
Two individuals feeding in the shore, with a Silver Gull attending Locality Werribee, Victoria, Australia (ssp fuliginosus)
Geoffrey Dabb 30 September 2006 5 years ago 31 sec 4 -
An adult bird foraging along the bayshore Locality Werribee, Victoria, Australia (ssp fuliginosus)
Geoffrey Dabb 30 September 2006 5 years ago 23 sec 3.9 -
Two adults on the rocks Locality Mooloolabah, Queensland, Australia (ssp fuliginosus)
Tom Tarrant 29 February 1996 8 years ago 20 sec 3.7 -
A close-up of two birds Locality William Bay National Park, Western Australia, Australia (ssp fuliginosus)
Philip Griffin 8 January 2005 7 years ago 18 sec 3.6 -
A bird feeding on a rock Locality Wonthaggi, Victoria, Australia (ssp fuliginosus)
Nick Talbot 24 April 2007 6 years ago 12 sec 3.5 -
A bird preening on a rock Locality Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia (ssp fuliginosus)
Nick Talbot 28 April 2006 6 years ago 14 sec 3.3 -
A bird walking among the rocks and flying away Locality St Kilda, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Philip Griffin 28 April 2001 9 years ago 16 sec 3.3 -
A bird bathing in a rock pool Locality Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia (ssp fuliginosus)
Nick Talbot 28 April 2006 6 years ago 28 sec 3.3 -
An adult preening its wing Locality South Durras, New South Wales, Australia (ssp fuliginosus)
Nick Talbot 13 January 2007 6 years ago 12 sec 3.2 -
An adult preening its breast Locality South Durras, New South Wales, Australia (ssp fuliginosus)
Nick Talbot 13 January 2007 6 years ago 14 sec 3.1 -
A bird on a rock platform ruffling its feathers, flapping its wings and then walking away Locality Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia (ssp fuliginosus)
Nick Talbot 28 April 2006 6 years ago 4 sec 3.1 -
Three adults walking on the rocks Locality Mooloolah, Queensland, Australia (ssp fuliginosus)
Tom Tarrant 31 August 1994 8 years ago 41 sec 3 -
A bird feeding on a rock at the coast Locality William Bay National Park, Western Australia, Australia (ssp fuliginosus)
Philip Griffin 8 January 2005 7 years ago 17 sec 2.5
Email this page