WetlandInfo—your first-stop-shop for wetland management resources in Queensland

Wonderful wetlands

Wetlands are important for our environment, economy and our livelihoods. They have many functions from reducing floods to producing clean water and food for humans, industry and agriculture. They provide important habitat for many animals and plants. Wetlands are the great ‘connectors’ across our landscape providing places for our enjoyment and relaxation. Regardless of whether you are doing a school or uni assignment, managing a wetland or undertaking research, you will find a wealth of information here on WetlandInfo. Read more…

WetlandInfo feature species

Australian pied oystercatcher (Haematopus longirostris)

Photo by Micha V. Jackson

Our World Wetland Day feature species is the Australian pied oystercatcher (oystercatcher). This species is part of a group of birds called shorebirds. Shorebirds, also known as waders, gather in intertidal areas or on the fringes of freshwater wetlands. They generally have long legs in relation to their body size, no webbing on their feet and they don't swim. The shape and size of their bill gives a clue to their preferred diet and habitat. 

Inhabiting sandy beaches and mud flats, oystercatchers are typically seen probing the sand or mud with their long bills in search of sandworms, molluscs or crabs, sometimes hammering at their shells. Or they may be seen roosting at high tide, sometimes with other species, such as gulls, cormorants, waterfowl or other shorebirds.

Additional information

• Species profile
• Atlas of Living Australia.