Gray-tailed Tattler

1. Breeding plumage shows more prominent grey barring on breast and flanks

2. Listen for its loud, up-slurred "too-wheet" call in flight

3. Watch for characteristic bobbing motion when the bird is alert

Grey-tailed Tattlers are long-distance migrants, breeding in northeast Siberia and wintering as far south as Australia. They have a unique feeding behavior, sometimes spending several minutes dropping and throwing crabs to remove their legs before eating them. These birds are vulnerable to habitat loss in their coastal wintering grounds.

Grey-tailed Tattlers prefer coastal areas, especially harbours and estuaries with soft, muddy substrates. Look for them during daylight hours, probing around rocks or along the water's edge. They're most common in northern New Zealand, with 5-10 birds visiting each year. To spot one, scan mudflats carefully – their grey plumage can blend in well with their surroundings.

While not as common in New Zealand as in Australia, Grey-tailed Tattlers have been regular visitors to our shores for centuries. They're part of the rich tapestry of migratory shorebirds that connect New Zealand to the rest of the world, showcasing the importance of our coastal habitats for global bird populations.