Hi all,
Actually, in New Zealand it's the extremely abundant South Island
Pied Oystercatcher which is all over the South Island. Around some
towns in the central South Island during the breeding season they
occur on playing fields, grassy verges and even road gutters
(feeding, not breeding, that is). While there are a few historical
records of Variables inland, they are now almost exclusively
coastal.
All around New Zealand, however, you will find oystercatchers
roosting and feeding in wet fields. Bar-tailed Godwits also
commonly feed in wet grass. My guess is that these birds are getting
insect larvae and possibly worms. In the dry central South Island
away from rivers, conditions must be very different, and closer to
Aussie conditions. If it looks good, eat it...
Phil
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Phil Battley,
Faculty of Environmental Sciences,
Griffith University,
Nathan,
Queensland 4111,
Australia.
Ph: 0061-7-3875-7474
Fax:0061-7-3875-7459
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