Blue duck / Whio
Nationally vulnerable duck and not often seen. Endemic to New Zealand. It is an iconic species of clear fast-flowing rivers, now mostly confined to high altitude segments of rivers in North and South Island mountain regions. Nowhere common, it lives at low densities. It has a shrill “whio” whistle which can be heard above the noise of turbulent waters. I guess I was lucky enough to see one of these rare birds.
Blue duck / Whio
Nationally vulnerable duck and not often seen. Endemic to New Zealand. It is an iconic species of clear fast-flowing rivers, now mostly confined to high altitude segments of rivers in North and South Island mountain regions. Nowhere common, it lives at low densities. It has a shrill “whio” whistle which can be heard above the noise of turbulent waters. I guess I was lucky enough to see one of these rare birds.