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The Wrybill

Small beach bird whose bill turns to the right.
Photo by Miraz Jordan.

In March 2021 I thought I was taking photos of Dotterels at our beach. But I’d recently visited Foxton Estuary and the information boards had made me aware of Ngutuparore, Wrybills:

The wrybill is a small pale plover which breeds only in braided rivers of the South Island. It is the only bird in the world with a laterally-curved bill (always curved to the right)
Length: 20 cm; Weight: 55 g
Similar species: Banded dotterel, Sanderling, Terek sandpiper

When I looked much more closely at my photos I could see a clearly curved bill.

Small bird with curved bill on wet sand.

Update: the information board at Foxton Estuary, showing Dotterel, Wrybill and Spoonbill.

Information board at Foxton Estuary, showing Dotterel, Wrybill and Spoonbill.

Add another bird to the long list of birds spotted at Waikawa Beach!

This item was updated on Friday 25 March 2022

I live at Waikawa Beach and love all the wildlife, fauna and flora.