Royal Spoonbill

Kōtuku ngutupapa is a large white wader with a long black spoon-shaped bill used to sweep prey from shallow water. The broad spoon tip is unmistakable; breeding adults also carry long white head plumes, a yellow chest patch and coloured facial skin.

It breeds in colonies from Northland to Southland, including at Ōkārito, and feeds in estuaries and coastal lagoons nationwide. Birds sweep the partly open bill side to side for fish, shrimps and aquatic insects and nest colonially in trees or on islands.

Royal spoonbill is At Risk — Naturally Uncommon (NZ Threat Classification). Colony disturbance, wetland degradation and dependence on limited nesting sites are concerns. Farewell Spit, Manawatū Estuary, Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere and Southland estuaries often hold flocks.