Anarhynchus obscurus
The New Zealand Plover, or Tuturuatu, is a critically endangered shorebird endemic to New Zealand, instantly recognizable by its distinctive black facial mask and bright orange-red legs. Measuring approximately 20-22 cm (8-9 inches) in length and weighing 55-65 grams, adults exhibit dark grey-brown upperparts contrasting with pristine white underparts, accentuated by a prominent white forehead stripe. While males boast a more extensive and darker mask, females typically present a duller, ofte...
This specialized plover primarily inhabits coastal, rocky shores, sheltered beaches, and tidal flats, favoring areas with intertidal reefs and sparse vegetation. It is exclusively found at low elevations, typically sea level, on offshore islets.
Their diet consists mainly of marine invertebrates, including small crustaceans like crabs and amphipods, various molluscs such as limpets and snails, and marine worms. They primarily forage by visually spotting prey and then pecking or probing the substrate.
New Zealand Plovers are diurnal, predominantly foraging during low tide and roosting in small groups during high tide, often in sheltered rocky crevices. They employ a visual run-and-peck foraging strategy, occasionally probing, to catch prey on exposed reefs and mudflats. During the breeding sea...
Historically, the New Zealand Plover was found along the coastal regions of the North Island, South Island, and Stewart Island. However, intense predation by introduced mammals led to a severe range contraction, driving the species to near extinction on the mainland. Today, its breeding and year-...
Critically Endangered
- The New Zealand Plover is one of the world's rarest shorebirds, with its population having plummeted to critically low numbers. - Its Māori name, Tuturuatu, connects it deeply with New Zealand's indigenous culture and heritage. - At one point, its population was estimated to be as low as 50-60 ...