Wrybill

Anarhynchus frontalis

This small, bizarre and endearing species is the only species of bird in the world to have a bill bent entirely in one direction, possibly an adaptation giving a foraging advantage along the pebble banks of its breeding grounds. It is found only in New Zealand, where it breeds on the braided rivers of the South Island. Unfortunately, like many endemic New Zealand birds, they are vulnerable to predation by introduced mammalian predators such as stoats and rats. This problem may intensify in the future as some braided rivers are colonised by an invasive algae which chokes smaller channels and can open up previously inaccessible dry areas of the riverbed. We will see what the future holds.

Outside of the breeding season, Wrybill can be found around certain coastal mud flats and estuaries of the North Island, such as the Firth of Thames, where some of these pictures were taken. In order to get within photo range, I positioned myself low to the ground either along a water edge where birds were feeding or 30 yards or so from where individuals were roosting. In all cases, after a relatively short period of time spent patiently watching and waiting, Wrybill approached me to within 3m - much too close to photograph but an unforgettable and refreshing experience. 

 This individual above was particularly curious, here on the approach the bend in the bill is fairly evident. 

Below, some reflections, this bird spent some time posing at an ideal range. 

The bird below is roosting during a high tide, this was one of a flock of perhaps 200. 

As the tide came back in, birds started to wake up. First things first - a good stretch followed by a yawn!

Finally, the birds headed down  the beach to start foraging.. 

I attempted to take some flight shots, however both the sessions I spent with these birds I ended up in a position from which I found it exceedingly difficult to achieve. I will add to this that don't have much experience photographing wading birds in flight - a nice challenge that I will come back to soon hopefully!