Ngutu pare breed exclusively on braided riverbeds. The population of 5000 - 5500 is thought to be declining slowly.
The main threats faced by Wrybills are predation by introduced mammals and native birds, flooding of nests, and loss or degradation of breeding habitat. Threats vary and their relative importance overall is unclear. Actual and potential threats to habitat include loss to hydro-electric power schemes, abstraction of water for irrigation, weed growth, and disturbance caused by a wide range of recreational and commercial activities.
It is one of the target species in our Braided Rivers Project.
Photo: Mike Soper DOC, Laurie Ross, Craig McKenzie
