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Pied Oystercatcher breeding season is here again!

10,000 Birds

The eggs hatched out around 20th June after 28 days of incubation and the Pied Oystercatcher family were soon on the move. This moves the family closer to a reef that gets exposed on low tides and better feeding opportunities. Usually the first thing we look for when we visit Pied Oystercatcher families is look for footprints.

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The first Pied Oystercatcher chick of 2020

10,000 Birds

Our first Pied Oystercatcher eggs for this year’s breeding season were laid early and were due to hatch last weekend. The eggs usually hatch out quite close together and then the family can all move away from the nest site. Feral cats are also a problem in Broome. The remaining egg still needed to be incubated.

2020 183
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Pied Oystercatcher chicks two weeks on….

10,000 Birds

It is quite common for several clutches of Pied Oystercatcher eggs to be laid during the breeding season and often within ten days of egg or chick loss. Over the two weeks since I first introduced you to this family of Pied Oystercatchers there has been a lot of walking. Pied Oystercatcher family.

Eggs 128
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15 Australian Birds (Episode 2)

10,000 Birds

Readers with a pornographic mindset will enjoy the following information about the Dusky Moorhen: “Simultaneously promiscuous, forming breeding groups of 2–7 apparently unrelated birds; individuals sometimes switch groups between seasons. Honeyeaters are a large bird family (190 species) with a strong presence in Australia.

Australia 211
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Baby Mute Swans – “immutabilis” morph

10,000 Birds

Contradicting this relentless shooting were efforts to establish feral populations in many regions of Europe, both within and outside its natural range. It is very likely that the white morph was directly promoted in captive breeding and favoured in releases to establish feral populations. So much for the blessings of beauty.

Feral 171
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The first Pied Oystercatcher chicks of 2018

10,000 Birds

Sadly the outcome from here is often chick loss from predation, but for now we will enjoy observing the two families of Pied Oystercatchers as they wander the dunes and come down to the ocean to feed when there are less people around. Pied Oystercatcher family wandering the dunes. Pied Oystercatcher family tracks.

2018 100
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Pied Oystercatcher broken wing display

10,000 Birds

We are into the second attempt at breeding for this season in Broome for Pied Oystercatchers. Sadly a lot of eggs are lost to feral cats and chicks are sometimes taken by birds of prey. We had one pair attempt 5 times in 2009, so they don’t give up easily!

2002 167