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Story: Wading birds

Variable oystercatcher chick

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Variable oystercatcher chick

The nests of variable oystercatchers are on sand or gravel beaches, often not far above the high-tide line. The colour and fleck of the chick’s down serve as camouflage. The chicks start moving about a day or two after hatching, but are fed by their parents for the first three weeks.

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Department of Conservation

Reference: 10045659

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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/9154/variable-oystercatcher-chick (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 2 March 2009.