Tōrea / South Island pied oystercatcher

Haematopus finschi

At Risk - Declining

With their bold black-and-white plumage and bright orange bills, South Island pied oystercatchers, or tōrea, are a familiar sight along Aotearoa’s coasts and inland riverbeds. These striking shorebirds are skilled foragers and devoted parents, migrating between braided river breeding grounds in summer and estuaries in winter.

Quick Facts:

• Despite the name, they mostly eat worms, insects and molluscs – not just oysters!
• Tōrea breed on South Island riverbeds and farmland, but spend winters in large flocks around the coast.
• Known for their loud “pip-pip” call and fast, low flight.
• While still relatively common, their nesting habitats are increasingly threatened by development, disturbance and predators.

Protecting tōrea means looking after both our inland rivers and coastal estuaries – ensuring these striking birds continue to bridge the gap between mountain and sea.

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