Template:POTD/2022-01-18
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The South Island oystercatcher (Haematopus finschi) is one of two common species of oystercatchers found in New Zealand. After breeding inland on the South Island, most of the population moves to estuaries, harbours, beaches and mudflats on the North Island, where the birds largely feed on molluscs and worms. It has piping calls, which are used socially and aggressively, as well as a piercing alarm call and a quiet flight call. This South Island oystercatcher was photographed in Point Chevalier in Auckland.Photograph credit: John Harrison