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Story: Wading birds

Variable oystercatcher feeding

Variable oystercatcher feeding

Variable oystercatchers often feed by probing for molluscs, worms, crabs and other invertebrates. They break open bivalves such as mussels and cockles by stabbing between the two shells and twisting to get at the meat.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10057275

by Geraldine Moore

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How to cite this page

Gerard Hutching, Wading birds – Oystercatchers, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/9153/variable-oystercatcher-feeding (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 2 March 2009.

Comments

Kathy and Paul Heffernan
28 June 2010
We live and have recently retired to the Thames Coast in New Zealand and we are in awe of the wonderful oyster catchers right on our doorstep. We have taken great photographs of these birds and they don't seem at all bothered by our presence.