Book excerpt: The New Zealand bird views series highlights the common birds in New Zealand - the birds we view every day but tend to take for granted because they are always there. This volume presents over 100 previously unpublished photographs of the two species of common oystercatcher in New Zealand: South Island pied oystercatcher (SIPO) Variable oystercatcher The book shows birds flying, feeding, nesting and raising their young. The text provides some background detail and the photos are used to illustrate the birds' lives as much as possible. Look for further titles in the series.