Wrybill

Anarhynchus frontalis, the ngutu pare, is an endemic plover with a uniquely side-curved bill. It differs from all other living plovers because the bill tip consistently bends to the right. The bird is pale grey above and white below with a black breast-band in breeding males. Its slim black bill shows the rightward curve clearly at close range.

It breeds on braided rivers of the eastern South Island and migrates north to estuaries. Major non-breeding flocks gather in the Firth of Thames and Manukau Harbour. It probes beneath stones for mayfly larvae on rivers and takes small tidal invertebrates on mudflats. Birds nest on bare shingle where floods and predators are major risks.

The New Zealand classification is Nationally Increasing. Pūkorokoro Miranda offers excellent autumn and winter views; braided-river breeding sites require care.