A Long-term Breeding Trio of Pied Oystercatchers Haematopus longirostris

Abstract

A polygynous breeding association of the Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris was studied over 10 breeding seasons, 1994–2003, on the North Coast of New South Wales. Nest and clutch characteristics, breeding behaviour, parental care and territory defence were monitored. Clutches were sometimes laid in separate nests and sometimes in a common nest, apparently at random, with the latter the more frequent option. Laying was highly synchronised. Parental care, feeding, territory protection and predator defence were all shared between the two females and the male. Aspects where our results add to previous knowledge are discussed.