The endangered New Zealand dotterel was once widespread and common. Males have a distinctive brown-red plumage on the chest. You may see the dotterel on sandspits and beaches, but their nests won't be so obvious. When you're travelling around New Zealand coastlines, look out for markers like seaweed and driftwood. The bird gallery links to in-depth descriptions of most New Zealand … Charadrius melanops, Black-fronted dotterel found in New Zealand Birds' bird gallery section, includes general information about the bird, taxonomy, description, where to find them and other useful and interesting information. The birds nest just above the high-tide mark, and are often heard before being seen. The upperparts are brown, darker in the southern subspecies, and the underparts are off-white in autumn-early winter, becoming orange-red (also darker in … Non-breeding adults lack the red colour, and are distinctly pale. The New Zealand dotterel is a heavily-built plover, and is the largest species in the genus Charadrius (c.31 species). There is lots of water surrounding their habitat. Beachgoers, dog owners being urged to take care around dotterel chicks at city beaches. The New Zealand dotterel is a familiar bird of sandy east coast beaches in the northern North Island, but is sparsely distributed around much of the rest of the country. Banded dotterels are smaller with a chestnut breast band in breeding plumage. Ranger Dotterel. The Rakiura team are looking a dedicated field ranger to join our Tiakina Nga Manu project to aid in the recovery of the critically endangered New Zealand Dotterel.The position is a six-month seasonal contract running for the next two years between August and February. Help the New Zealand dotterel continue to increase in population. The New Zealand dotterel, also known as the red-breasted plover or tuturiwhatu, is a plump bird with a stout bill and long legs. Dotterels hatching: Beachgoers urged to take care around tiny Kiwi battlers - NZ Herald New Zealand Herald A New Zealand dotterel (tuturiwhatu) on the beach at Sandy Bay in Taranaki.Framing & Mounting: This image can be purchased printed on either stretched canvas or on aluminium using the Chromaluxe dye sublimation process. New Zealand dotterels are large dotterels with a rufous chest in breeding plumage. Factors that enable survival in the Dotterel's habitat There are lots of About New Zealand Facts about New Zealand ... An ecology trail starts at the far end of the beach, beyond a protected breeding area of very rare New Zealand dotterel birds. Habitat loss and disturbance return to results. Breeding birds are often disturbed by humans and their dogs, vehicles, and stock, which crush eggs and chicks.