What Is The Difference Between a Shorebird and a Seabird?
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between shorebirds and seabirds?
A shag (kāruhiruhi)
Well, first of all, seabirds are pelagic and spend most of their life at sea. They move towards coastal areas generally to breed and raise young for a minimal amount of time. They have more feathers than other types of birds for more insulation and waterproofing, and webbed feet for swimming. Seabirds even have an incredible internal desalination system where their glands excrete excess salt from ingested seawater, so they don't need to find fresh water to survive. Some seabird species you might see from Waiheke are little blue penguins (kororā), grey-faced petrels (ōi), shags (kāruhiruhi), and Australasian gannets (takupu).
Shorebirds on the other hand are largely migratory. While they may cross vast distances, they stay close to shore when feeding and breeding. Their long legs, separated toes, and pointed beaks make it easy to search for food in the wetlands and marshes they frequent. Shorebirds are a common sight in shallow bays and wetlands on Waiheke. Some examples you might see are bar-tailed godwits (kuaka), New Zealand dotterel (tūturiwhatu), Royal spoonbill (Kotuku ngutu papa) and variable oystercatcher (tōrea pango).
Keep your eyes and ears out and see if you can pick which is which.
