First Record of a South Island Pied Oystercatcher in Australia

Abstract

A single South Island Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus finschi was observed at Ballina, New South Wales, between 6 November 1998 and 21 February 1999. This record was accepted by the Birds Australia Rarities Committee, and is the first confirmed record for Australia. There have been several unconfirmed reports of the species from both Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands.