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Story: Ngā manu – birds

Tōrea call

When the tōrea (pied oystercatcher) calls ‘keria’ (dig) it is seen as the sign of an approaching storm – implying that people should dig for shellfish before bad weather arrives. When the tōrea cries ‘tōkia’, the storm is over. Listen to the tōrea calling. Is a storm coming, or has it passed?

Sound file from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero (New Zealand birds/Reference number T7702)

About this item

Department of Conservation
Reference: 10045161
Photograph by Rod Morris

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How to cite this page:

Kelly Keane. 'Ngā manu – birds', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 25-Sep-11
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/nga-manu-birds/4/4