Ngutu pare / Wrybill

Anarhynchus frontalis

Threatened - Nationally Increasing

Small, swift and uniquely adapted, the wrybill, or ngutu pare, is the only bird in the world with a bill that curves laterally (sideways). Endemic to Aotearoa, these remarkable shorebirds breed exclusively on the braided rivers of the South Island, using their specialised beaks to forage beneath stones for insects and larvae. Despite their conservation status, their numbers in this region are declining, making them a key focus for riverbed conservation efforts.

Quick Facts:

• Wrybills’ bills always curve to the right – no exceptions!
• They nest on exposed gravel riverbeds, leaving eggs and chicks vulnerable to predators and floods.
• After breeding, they migrate to North Island estuaries for winter, flying hundreds of kilometres each year.
• Camouflaged colouring makes them nearly invisible among stones – a vital defence for both adults and chicks.

Protecting ngutu pare means safeguarding the dynamic, threatened braided rivers they rely on – a delicate ecosystem where every stone can hide a life.

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