Species: Haematopus longirostris

Bundjalung name: Bijahlin
Status: Endangered (NSW)

Characteristics

• Length/size: 45 cm height, wingspan around 80cm. Bill can be up to 8cm long! 

• Colour: Black and white with long orange-red bill, red eyes and pink legs.

• Breeding/reproduction: Breeds in pairs within a territory, breeding starts in June. Two or three eggs laid on  the sand, shell grit or shingle just above the waterline. Incubation takes 28 days, shells are well camouflaged. Parent duties are shared between the sexes.

• Diet: Feed on bivalve molluscs which are pried open by their strong bills. They also feed on worms and insects. Forage by probing in mudflats or by sight.

Habitat:Found in coastal areas throughout Australia. Prefers mudflats, sandbanks, sandy ocean beaches and less common in stony or rocky estuaries. 

Threats: Habitat historically reduced by coastal  development, remaining habitat disturbed by human recreational activities, feral animal predation and dog attacks. Entanglement in discarded fishing line and rubbish.