Topics Concepts Citizen science Teacher PLD Glossary

Whio lips

The whio has rubbery soft flaps on the end of its bill to help scrape its food off the surfaces of rocks. Look closely, and you’ll also see the sieve-like structures inside the bill. It uses these to sieve larvae and insects.

Rights: Rob Suisted, Nature’s Pic Images

Published: 4 August 2017,Updated: 4 August 2017Size: 3.48 MB

Referencing Hub media

Explore related content

Appears in Related resources

∂

Article

Whio – the blue duck

The whio/blue duck is one of New Zealand’s rarest and most endangered endemic ducks in mainland New Zealand. It is an iconic species and appears on...

∂

Article

Whio adaptations

The whio/blue duck has many adaptations to help it survive in its challenging fast-flowing river habitat. Even newly hatched whio ducklings can negotiate white water and...

∂

Article

Bird adaptations and identification

It is estimated there are currently 209 breeding bird species in Aotearoa New Zealand. How can we tell what bird species we are observing? All living...

∂

Activity

Whio feathers – what are they for?

Ducks have three main types of feathers: flight, contour and down feathers. Each feather type provides a different function. Whio live in very cold water and...

∂

Activity

Whio habitats and conservation

The conservation status of many New Zealand ducks is not ideal. At least seven native New Zealand duck species are extinct, and several are still endangered....

∂

Article

Whio – the blue duck

The whio/blue duck is one of New Zealand’s rarest and most endangered endemic ducks in mainland New Zealand. It is an iconic species and appears on...

Email us

Your Email address

See our newsletters here.

News and events About Contact Us Privacy Copyright Help

Curious Minds is a Government initiative jointly led by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the Ministry of Education and the Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor.