A common sight around Lake Dunstan, the Paradise Shellduck (putangitangi) mates for life and uses the same breeding area each year. The drake is the less glamorous black bird and the duck has the distinctive white head.

One of lifes pleasures is to be in a remote valley when a pair of 'parees' fly through making their distinctive 'call and response' charteristic honks. They are commonly seen out in open farm paddocks feeding.