This oystercatcher is striking in black and white, with a long red bill. It occurs at estuaries across New Zealand and moves inland to South Island riverbeds and farmland to breed.
It has a sharp border between its black upperparts and white underparts, a long stout red bill, and thick pink legs.
On the coast it feeds on molluscs and worms and is especially adept at taking bivalves.
In spring and summer it makes a shallow nest on raised sand, gravel, or soil. Both parents incubate the 1–3 eggs for 24–28 days and care for the young.
It gives a loud, shrill flight call and loud piping calls on the ground when defending feeding or breeding territories.
The sexes have similar plumage. Juveniles have a brownish tinge, a dusky red bill, and dull pink legs.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.