- Conservation status
- In some trouble
Tōrea pango is the party leader species representing the adorable oystercatcher species in Aotearoa. You'll find them on the beach and mudflats, always searching for a feed. Opening bivalve shellfish is tough when you're twisting with a bill or hammering a hole in the shell. Watching the adults teach their young this skill provides a constant source of amusement.
Campaign Manager
Keely Haskett
They might be called variable oystercatchers, but our love for them should be constant. These tall twiggy blobs have the gothic look down, with a black and red colour scheme. They love long walks along the beach (and fast runs away from the surf) and will capture your heart while their beak is buried in the sand. Vote for the tōrea pango for Bird of the Year 2024.
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