Notornis, 23 (2), 106-119
Article Type: Paper
The food of 204 paradise shelducks from the high-country of Canterbury was examined. Types of food and their percentage occurrence are listed. Plant material, particularly that obtained by grazing, made up most of the bulk of the food eaten throughout the year. Animal material, mainly of aquatic origin, was of only minor importance, with much of it apparently being ingested accidentally with plant material. Seasonal changes in the diet between 24 May 1972 and 5 May 1973 are discussed.