Thinornis forbesi
The Forbes's Plover, *Thinornis forbesi*, is a small, charismatic shorebird endemic to New Zealand's Chatham Islands archipelago. Averaging 18-20 cm (7-8 inches) in length with a wingspan of approximately 35-40 cm (14-16 inches), it is a stocky plover distinguished by its striking black facial mask that extends from the bill, encircling the eye and nape, often bordered by a distinct white frontal band above the bill. Its upperparts are a warm brown, contrasting sharply with its pristine white...
Found primarily along rocky coasts, exposed sandy beaches, and estuarine mudflats of the Chatham Islands, typically at sea level. It prefers areas with diverse substrates for foraging and nesting.
Feeds predominantly on small marine and terrestrial invertebrates, including crustaceans, marine worms, and insects. It forages by sight, running and pausing along the water's edge or among rocks.
Forbes's Plovers are diurnal foragers, employing a characteristic 'run-and-pause' method to locate prey, actively scanning and snatching invertebrates from the sand or amongst pebbles. They are typically solitary or found in small family groups outside the breeding season, establishing strong pai...
Forbes's Plover is endemic to the Chatham Islands archipelago, an isolated group of islands located about 800 kilometers (500 miles) east of New Zealand's South Island. Its primary stronghold is on Chatham Island itself, where the majority of the population resides, scattered along suitable coast...
Vulnerable
- Forbes's Plover is one of New Zealand's most geographically restricted endemic birds, found only on the remote Chatham Islands archipelago. - Its name honors Henry Ogg Forbes, a Scottish naturalist who collected specimens from the Chatham Islands in the late 19th century. - Despite its relative...