Bruny Island Birdlife - Sooty Oystercatcher
Bruny Island is home to abundant birdlife, including all 12 species endemic to Tasmania. Some are critically endangered, such as the Forty-spotted Pardalote, the Swift Parrot, and the Tasmanian Wedge-tailed Eagle. All 12 endemic species are protected under Tasmania's Nature Conservation Act 2002.
Bruny Island is a popular place for bird watching, and has been named in the top 10 bird watching sites in Australia by Australian Birdlife magazine.
Watch out for the next Bruny Island Bird Festival, (date TBA).
Photos from award winning photographer Rod Hartvigsen
Sooty Oystercatcher
The Sooty Oystercatcher (Haematopus fuliginosus) is a bird found all around the coasts of Australia. It grows up to 52cm in length.
Habitat
The Sooty Oystercatcher lives only in coastal areas.
Behaviour
The Sooty Oystercatcher eats coastal marine life such as crustaceans, molluscs, marine worms and shellfish. It uses its long bill to prise open food, and to break open shells against rocks. When breeding it nests on rocky beaches and outcrops.
Conservation
The Sooty Oystercatcher is considered vulnerable in NSW and programs are in place to help protect the species from habitat destruction and predation from foxes, dogs, cats, rats and raptors.