Without being able to scavenge leftovers from people eating in public areas such as beaches and parks during the lockdown, birds have been left with emptier bellies than usual.
But Birds New Zealand president Bruce McKinlay, of Dunedin, said they would likely adapt.
There had been ‘‘quite a lot of chat’’ on social media from people who were seeing more birds around, or birds in unusual places.
That was likely down to birds not congregating in their usual spots, because fewer people were out and about, he said.
‘‘There is less feeding of birds going on, and I think the birds have responded by dispersing away.
‘‘If I was a red-billed gull and I couldn’t get food at Andersons Bay, then I’d go to the other places I know I can get food, like going down and getting natural food on beaches, on the tideline.’’
Any impact on bird population numbers because less food was available would not be known until breeding season, he said.
