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==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
A small, drab shorebird with white underbody and grey upperparts. Grey eyeline, white supercilliary extending to forehead. Partial (summer) or full (winter, breeding) dark grey collar. Black legs. Most distinctive feature '''unique among bird species in the world''', is the dark, sharp bill that curves to the side. | A small, drab shorebird with white underbody and grey upperparts. Grey eyeline, white supercilliary extending to forehead. Partial (summer) or full (winter, breeding) dark grey collar. Black legs. Most distinctive feature '''unique among bird species in the world''', is the dark, sharp bill that curves to the side. | ||
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==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
Endemic to [[New Zealand]]: breeds in northern river beds on South Island; winters on North Island. | Endemic to [[New Zealand]]: breeds in northern river beds on South Island; winters on North Island. | ||
'''Population''' This is a very uncommon bird, with a population of only around 5000 individuals. It can be reliably found during the southern hemisphere winter (May-Aug) at the Miranda Sanctuary at the Firth of Thames, south of Auckland, (North Island). | '''Population''' This is a very uncommon bird, with a population of only around 5000 individuals. It can be reliably found during the southern hemisphere winter (May-Aug) at the Miranda Sanctuary at the Firth of Thames, south of Auckland, (North Island). | ||
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==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
A monotypic species. | A monotypic species. | ||
Revision as of 06:43, 5 September 2009
- Anarhynchus frontalis
Identification
A small, drab shorebird with white underbody and grey upperparts. Grey eyeline, white supercilliary extending to forehead. Partial (summer) or full (winter, breeding) dark grey collar. Black legs. Most distinctive feature unique among bird species in the world, is the dark, sharp bill that curves to the side.
Distribution
Endemic to New Zealand: breeds in northern river beds on South Island; winters on North Island.
Population This is a very uncommon bird, with a population of only around 5000 individuals. It can be reliably found during the southern hemisphere winter (May-Aug) at the Miranda Sanctuary at the Firth of Thames, south of Auckland, (North Island).
Taxonomy
A monotypic species.
Habitat
Coastal mudflats.
Behaviour
Always in flocks. Similar to other tidal flat plovers, it forages in the mud in large groups that often fly en masse when alarmed, often returning often to the same area to continue feeding. Often stands on one leg.
The diet includes sandhoppers, mudworms, etc.
