Story: Wading birds
Jonnice Pennicott, a young muttonbirder, is releasing a snipe on rat-free Putauhinu Island, near Stewart Island. The snipe is from the Snares, now the closest islands with a population of New Zealand snipe. It is hoped the 30 snipe released in 2005 will become established, providing extra security for the species. The eerie noise snipe create by vibrating their tails during nocturnal courtship flights earned them the status of spirit bird among Māori muttonbirders.
About this item
Department of Conservation
Photograph by Ros Cole
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