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Story: Bird migration

Godwits and oystercatchers

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Godwits and oystercatchers

These eastern bar-tailed godwits from the Arctic have gathered at Manukau Harbour (near Auckland) with South Island pied oystercatchers. After flying long distances, they replenish their reserves so they can return to breed in the Arctic. New Zealand’s estuaries and harbours are concentrated food sources, where migratory waders congregate. They feed by probing the mud with their long bills, finding molluscs, worms and crabs.

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Department of Conservation

Reference: 10036073

by Dick Veitch

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How to cite this page

Christina Troup, Bird migration – The phenomenon of migration, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/7213/godwits-and-oystercatchers (accessed 11 June 2026).

Story by Christina Troup, published 2 March 2009.

Comments

Tony
21 February 2015
Hi, I visit the bird reserve (end of Kiwi Esplanade - Ambury) almost daily as a local, and have noticed this year the South Island Oyster Catchers have hung around longer than I can recall. Today, rather than group, they were spaced out, covering the whole of the reserve and parking areas / walking paths. It looked like something out of Hitchcocks "The birds" movie. Is there some climatic reason as to why they have been here all year? Thanks Tony