New Zealand Dotterel
Anarhynchus obscurus
The New Zealand plover, red-breasted plover, or New Zealand dotterel is an endangered species found only in certain areas of New Zealand. Its Māori names include tūturiwhatu, pukunui, and kūkuruatu. There are two subspecies, "C. o. obscurus" in the South Island and "C. o. aquilonius" in the North Island. A 2015 study found its closest relatives to be other plovers found in New Zealand, the nearest the wrybill, which the study found to be in the "Charadrius" clade, and then the double-banded plover or banded dotterel.
New Zealand plovers are shorebirds and are usually found on sandy beaches and sandspits or feeding on tidal estuaries. Around 1990 these birds were nearing extinction with about 1300 northern dotterels, and approximately 75 or so southern dotterels but conservation measures have been effective in raising these numbers to 1700 and 250 respectively by 2005.
New Zealand plovers are shorebirds and are usually found on sandy beaches and sandspits or feeding on tidal estuaries. Around 1990 these birds were nearing extinction with about 1300 northern dotterels, and approximately 75 or so southern dotterels but conservation measures have been effective in raising these numbers to 1700 and 250 respectively by 2005.