Royal Spoonbills

Also known as Platalea regia, these royal spoonbills are a common sight cruising down the harbor on the low tide.

They are originally from Australia, but after some were blown over the Tasman have begun to establish some breeding colonies in NZ as well. Using their long, spoon-like bill as a sort of sieve they strain the waters for krill and small crustaceans to eat. During the breeding season you can also see their "royal" crown of feathers perked up for display. To me though watching them wander over the flats they remind me of duck-billed dinosaurs from some distant era.