Thanks Mike - I knew it would be a tough call, especially looking at it as
an individual bird...
Paul
-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Carter
Sent: Saturday, 19 January 2008 10:11 AM
To: Paul Dodd; 'birding-aus'
Subject: Pied Oystercatcher vs SIPO
I don't think it is a SIPO. Bill seems too robust, especially at the base,
and legs not short enough.
SIPOs are easily told on ground when associating with OZPOs because they
stand much shorter. Their tibia is half the length of an OZPO. When an OZPO
walks a SIPO must scurry to keep up. Otherwise can be difficult on the
ground but sometimes the white upper back not present in OZPO shows. Easier
to tell in flight not just because of more white on underwing but because
white continues to form a point on the mantle not truncated on upper rump as
in OZPO and wingbar is longer and more prominent extending inwards to adjoin
body and outwards on to the primaries.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza VIC 3930
Tel (03) 9787 7136
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