The
Sooty Oystercatcher (
Haematopus fuliginosus) is a
wading bird endemic to Australia and commonly found on its coastline. It prefers rocky coastlines, but will occasionally live in
estuaries. All of its feathers are black and it has a red eye, eye ring and bill, and pink legs. The heaviest of all
oystercatchers, it weighs up to 980 g (2.16 lb), averaging around 819 g (1.806 lb), with females being slightly heavier than males.
Photo: JJ Harrison