In March 2021 I thought I was taking photos of Dotterels at our beach. But I’d recently visited Foxton Estuary and the information boards had made me aware of Ngutuparore | Wrybills:
The wrybill is a small pale plover which breeds only in braided rivers of the South Island. It is the only bird in the world with a laterally-curved bill (always curved to the right)
Length: 20 cm; Weight: 55 g
Similar species: Banded dotterel, Sanderling, Terek sandpiper
When I looked much more closely at my photos I could see a clearly curved bill.
Update: the information board at Foxton Estuary, showing Dotterel, Wrybill and Spoonbill.
