By Annie Hill
The original article in Russell Lights | Ngā Mārama o Kororāreka, August 2026 edition
So often in this little column, the native bird to which I’m referring is classified from ‘vulnerable’ to ‘critically endangered’, so it makes a pleasant change to introduce a bird which is actually expanding its range in Aotearoa New Zealand. Widespread throughout its large range, the Royal Spoonbill is shown as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. I was reminded to write about them because they’re presently visiting Russell and I see them most days, feeding in the shallows in Matauwhi Bay.
Kōtuku Ngutupapa Royal Spoonbill, Platalea regia is one of six spoonbill species, but the only one to breed here. They were first recorded in New Zealand at Castlepoint in 1861, having flown – or been blown – from Australia. Like many waterfowl, they’re very mobile; they became more common through the 1900s, and were first recorded breeding next to the Kōtuku White Heron colony at Ōkarito, south Westland, in 1949. Since then, they’ve spread widely and now breed in many places on both main islands, dispersing to coastal sites across the country later in the year. Their Māori name means ‘white heron with a flat bill’, so I reckon I can call them Ngutupapa or simply Spoonbill.
The most obvious characteristic of these elegant waders, is the distinctive, long, spoon-shaped beak, whose black colouring also covers part of their face. Their long legs are also black and against their all-white plumage, the result is a dramatic contrast. In flight, Spoonbills hold their neck outstretched, their legs trailing behind them. They stand around 80 cm tall, with a wingspan of about 120 cm and a weight of 1.4 to 2.0 kg, females being slightly smaller, with shorter legs and bill. The beak varies greatly in length from 136 to 220 mm. Breeding birds have a creamy-yellow breast, a yellow patch above each eye, and a red patch in the middle of the forehead in front of the crest feathers, a feature of both sexes: these beautiful, long, white feathers on the back of the head, can reach 20 cm in males. Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults, but are smaller with a shorter beak, dark tips to the main flight feathers. When wading in shallow water, Ngutupapa submerges its beak, repeatedly sweeping it in a wide arc in search of food, making them easily recognisable from a distance.
Like most of their family, their voice is far from melodious, made up of grunts, groans, hisses, and guttural calls on the nest.
Ngutupapa generally feed and roost in flocks, which here, usually number fewer than half a dozen. While they prefer freshwater, most birds inhabit estuaries and indeed, as mentioned were first seen breeding in the tidal Ōkārito Lagoon. When they’re resting, they often stand on one leg, hunched over, their head lying on their back with the bill tucked under feathers and a dark, beady eye still visible. They fly in lines or in ‘V’ formation.
Spoonbills start gathering at nesting sites in coastal colonies, in October, with mixed groups of unpaired birds forming ‘bachelor parties’. While they’re monogamous in the breeding season, they don’t mate for life and court every year, to find a partner. Males spar more frequently than females, extending their necks, bill gaping, jabbing and wing flapping. There are circular or figure-of-eight flight displays, over the breeding area, the birds exaggerating the flight noise. Both sexes bow while clapping bills and quivering heads, displaying their striking plumage, raising their crest plumes to show the pink skin beneath. Once the pair bond is established, the birds start mutual preening. They still display while nesting, greeting each other by repeatedly nodding vigorously, their crest fanned and beak open.
Their nests are bowl-shaped, lined with leaves and other vegetation, and usually placed in the crown of a tree – particularly kahikatea – over water, or on the ground, or in shrubs, among tall reeds. While they’re highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season (in Australia, whole colonies have been known to desert their eggs after a minor upset), nest sites may be reused in consecutive years. In Aotearoa, their colonies are often alongside those of white herons or shags. Typically, two or four eggs are laid, which hatch after 20 to 25 days. The adults share both incubation and feeding the young by partial regurgitation. Chicks fledge after seven weeks. Juveniles are fed by both adults for several weeks after fledging, and they forage alongside their parents for some time before the family group disperses to their traditional wintering sites in estuaries and wetlands around the country.
Spoonbills feed by day or night, depending on the tide. In fresh water, they’ll catch fish, but generally they feed in tidal flats, eating shrimps, other crustaceans, aquatic insects and frogs. The structure of their bill, limits them to feeding in water less than 40 cm deep over sand, mud or clay. As well as sweeping the beak, they use it for dragging and probing in mud and grabbing prey. Their bills have detectors which sense vibrations in murky water or darkness, the bird then snapping shut its beak and raising it to let prey slide down its throat. When slowly sweeping, Ngutupapa walks unhurriedly, with the bill vertical and its tip open about 2 to 4 cm, swinging in an arc of around 100° in front of it. It kicks up débris and small animals, which it senses and catches in its beak, sweeping much more intensely when movement is sensed. They also probe submerged plants directly for prey, and will take animals such as spiders above ground.
In 1977 the population was estimated at 52 birds and had increased to 2,360 birds in 2012. At the last count, in 2024-25, there were 4,593 Spoonbills in 36 colonies across the motu: the number had almost doubled in12 years.
As mentioned, Ngutupapa are sensitive to disturbance during the breeding season, and are vulnerable to development, recreational activities, pollution and land ‘reclamation’. However, the Department of Conservation classifies them as ‘naturally uncommon but increasing with a restricted range’. I hope that I can enjoy seeing them every winter, for many years to come.
Kōtuku-ngatupapa | Royal Spoonbill |Platalea regia
📸 New Zealand Birds Online