Photo: Renke Lühken / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Wrybill
Anarhynchus frontalis
Wrybill (Anarhynchus frontalis) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Wrybill (Anarhynchus frontalis) is a member of the Charadriidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 57.6 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Charadriidae Plovers
- Genus Anarhynchus
- Species frontalis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 57.6 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Charadriidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Wrybill hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of rivers and riverside habitats, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Wrybill is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Wrybill (Anarhynchus frontalis) is a member of the Charadriidae family, within the order Charadriiformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU rivers of South I. (New Zealand).
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 57.6 g, with a wing length of about 12 cm and a tail of around 4.6 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 9,523 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Wrybill?
The Wrybill is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 57.6 g.
Where does the Wrybill live?
The Wrybill is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU rivers of South I. (New Zealand), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Wrybill belong to?
The Wrybill (Anarhynchus frontalis) belongs to the Charadriidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Wrybill eat?
The Wrybill hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Wrybill migrate?
The Wrybill is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Wrybill endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Wrybill make?
1 real field recording of the Wrybill — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Wrybill's range?
The Wrybill has a mapped global range of about 9,523 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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