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Story: Wading birds

Pied stilt feeding

Pied stilt feeding

Long legs and bills allow stilts to feed in deeper water than oystercatchers, as seen here at Pāuatahanui Inlet. They mainly feed on invertebrates, probing their bill into mud or sweeping it from side to side. They can also snatch insects from the air.

About this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP/1987/2335/11
Photograph by Ross Giblin

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching. 'Wading birds', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 24-Sep-11
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/wading-birds/3/7