Police and SPCA attempt to capture a family of paradise shelducks as traffic banked up on the southbound lane of SH2 near Petone.

Their quarry was of the feathered variety, but it had police ducking and weaving on a Wellington motorway.

About eight ducks stopped traffic on State Highway 2 near Petone in Wellington, with police called to coax the birds out of harm's way.

Police were called at 1:30pm after members of the public were seen trying to get the ducks, which were paradise shelducks, off the road.

"We received a number of calls in relation to a mummy duck and her ducklings on the motorway. The SPCA was notified, a police spokesperson said.

READ MORE:

* Flock of ducklings cross busy motorway, stopping traffic

* Traffic comes to a halt, police escort ducklings

* Rogue ducks run riot in Hamilton suburb

* Duck deaths spark calls for drivers to slow down

ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF Paradise shelducks are often observed in pairs and were known for a very vocal 'zonk zonk' call from the males, and a higher-pitched 'zeek zeek' from females.

Police arrived just after 2 pm and assisted in traffic control and in shepherding the large, goose-like ducks off the road.

Two ducks were but four were netted and another four flew off.

The four captured ducks were dropped to Wellington Bird Rehabilitation trust and next week will be relocated to a lake in Otaki.

ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF Police attempt to round up a family of paradise shelducks on SH2 at Petone. Traffic was halted as police and animal control tired to capture the birds.

Police reminded the duck-loving public that though the inclination to assist might be strong, it was wise to be mindful of stopping on motorways unless there was an emergency.

Though ducks on the highway could be dangerous, so was stopping.

Lanes were cleared by 2:15 pm and traffic was now flowing again.

ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF Paradise shelducks are known as pūtangitangi or pūtakitaki in te reo Māori.

Pūtangitangi, paradise shelducks, were a native species and were New Zealand's only shelducks, a type of large duck with goose-like features.

According to DOC, the birds were often observed in pairs and were known for a very vocal 'zonk zonk' call from the males, and a higher-pitched 'zeek zeek' from females.

ROSS GIBLIN/STUFF Police arrived just after 2 pm and assisted in traffic control and in shepherding the large, goose-like ducks off the road.

Though experiencing a decline in numbers in the nineteenth century, pūtangitangi were now widespread and common.

The life-expectancy of a paradise shelduck was 2.3 years, but the oldest recorded lived to 23.