New Zealand Plover

Maori Plover ( Charadrius obscurus )

The Maori plover or Tuturiwhatu (Charadrius obscurus ) is a bird of the family of plovers.

Distribution and threat

The species occurs in two subspecies of New Zealand. O C. obscurus populated earlier much of the South Island, broods today but only in Germany by Stewart Iceland. The population in 2004 numbered about 250 animals. CoN aquilonius breeds on the coast of the North Island, mainly north of the 39th parallel. The population in 2004 estimated at about 1,700 animals.

The species is considered endangered. The main reasons are habitat destruction and disturbance by humans and introduced species such as the domestic cat. 1993 and 2004 were designed by the New Zealand Ministry of Environment protection programs.

Description

The Maori Plover is the largest species of the genus Charadrius, adult animals reach a body length of 25 cm and a weight from 130 to 170 g The back of the bird is predominantly brown, the belly is cream colored in late summer and autumn, winter and spring conspicuous red orange. The strong bill is black, the legs are gray. The southern subspecies is slightly larger.

Reproduction

The Maori plover nests from September to February, usually on broad, well -accessible beaches. Three eggs are laid in a little elaborated pit and incubated for about 30 days.

Swell

• Charadrius obscurus on the Red List of Threatened Species IUCN 2008 Posted by: .. BirdLife International, 2008, Accessed January 31, 2009
• John E. Dowding and Alison M. Davis: New Zealand dotterel (Charadrius obscurus ) recovery plan, 2004-14, Science & Technical Publishing, Department of Conservation, Wellington PDF Online ( 215.9 Kb)
• Maori Plover at nzbirds