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Story: Wetland birds

Kingfisher with lizard

Image
Kingfisher with lizard

Farmer and naturalist Herbert Guthrie-Smith took this photo of a kingfisher with a lizard in its bill, probably in the early 20th century. Kingfishers’ diet saved them from being eaten by many Māori – geckos were feared, and a person eating a kingfisher might be indirectly consuming a gecko.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Reference: A.001985

by William Herbert Guthrie-Smith

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Christina Troup, Wetland birds – Kingfishers and fernbirds – wetland margins, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/14666/kingfisher-with-lizard (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Christina Troup, published 1 March 2009.