TōreaSouth Island Pied Oystercatcher
- Conservation status
- In some trouble
These obvious and noisy plover-like birds have long orange or red bills used for smashing or prying open molluscs. When they are not using their bills to prey on limpets, mussels, gastropods, and chitons, you will hear their loud piping displays warning off other birds from feeding and breeding in their areas.
Photo: Craig McKenzie