Animalscaretips
The New Zealand dotterel is an endangered species found only in New Zealand. It was once widespread and common, but there are now only about 2,500 birds left, making dotterels more at risk than some species of kiwi.
- Where do NZ dotterels live?
- Where do dotterels nest?
- Where do dotterels migrate to?
- Do NZ dotterels migrate?
- Where do godwits live in NZ?
- What is a kereru bird?
- Are black backed gulls protected in NZ?
- What kind of bird is a plover?
- How long do dotterel eggs take to hatch?
- Are dotterel native to NZ?
- Are banded Dotterels rare?
- Do snow buntings migrate?
- Where does the black fronted tern live?
- What do black billed gulls eat?
Where do NZ dotterels live?
Distribution and habitat
New Zealand dotterels are found on or near the coast around much of the North Island. They are sparse on the west coast from about Taharoa north to North Cape, and there are a few isolated pairs in Taranaki. The bulk of the population is on the east coast between North Cape and East Cape.
Where do dotterels nest?
Habitat loss and disturbance
New Zealand dotterel nest in open sites, typically low-lying sand or gravel banks and sandbars close to beaches and lagoons. Nests just above high tide mark are easily lost to strong storms and very high spring tides. The birds often nest close to residential or developed areas.
Where do dotterels migrate to?
Inland-breeding birds undertake a post-breeding migration to estuaries and other coastal wetlands the length of New Zealand and many also travel to Tasmania and south-east mainland Australia in an unusual east-west migration. The banded dotterel is a small, compact plover, plain brown above and mainly white below.
Do NZ dotterels migrate?
The Southern New Zealand dotterel nests above the bush line on Stewart Island, and migrates around the South Island coast after breeding. ... However, banded dotterels that nest on the South Island's riverbeds mostly migrate to Australia after breeding. Others migrate to the northern North Island's harbours and estuaries.
Where do godwits live in NZ?
In New Zealand some 80,000 godwits arrive and move into harbours and estuaries. Main sites include Manukau Harbour, Firth of Thames, Farewell Spit, Avon Heathcote River Estuaries, Awarua Bay, Houhora Harbour Rangunu Bay, Avon-Heathcote estuary and Parengarenga Harbour.
What is a kereru bird?
The kererū (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) or New Zealand pigeon is a species of pigeon native to New Zealand. Described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789, it is a large, conspicuous pigeon up to 50 cm (20 in) in length and 550–850 g (19–30 oz) in weight, with a white breast and iridescent green-blue plumage.
Are black backed gulls protected in NZ?
Gulls, terns and skuas
In New Zealand all of these birds are protected, except black-backed gulls. Subantarctic skuas are partially protected. Gulls and terns are gregarious birds common to New Zealand's inland and coastal regions.
What kind of bird is a plover?
plover, any of numerous species of plump-breasted birds of the shorebird family Charadriidae (order Charadriiformes). There are about three dozen species of plovers, 15 to 30 centimetres (6 to 12 inches) long, with long wings, moderately long legs, short necks, and straight bills that are shorter than their heads.
How long do dotterel eggs take to hatch?
The eggs are incubated for 28 - 32 days by both parents before they hatch. The female tends to sit on the nest during the day and the male dotterel sits on the nest at night. Chicks are guarded by their parents till they fledge.
Are dotterel native to NZ?
The New Zealand dotterel is an endangered species found only in New Zealand. It was once widespread and common, but there are now only about 2,500 birds left, making dotterels more at risk than some species of kiwi.
Are banded Dotterels rare?
The banded dotterel population may be in the order of 50,000 birds, and is considered to be in decline, primarily due to the effects of introduced predators.
Do snow buntings migrate?
Even though Snow Buntings migrate southward to avoid the worst of the Arctic winter, they seldom stray far from cold temperatures. Little wonder one of this bird's nicknames is "snowflake!"
Where does the black fronted tern live?
Distribution and habitat
Black-fronted terns breed only on the braided riverbeds of the eastern and southern South Island, from Marlborough to Southland. They are found on or near braided channels of inland rivers and streams, often at high altitudes, and on nearby farmland, either under pasture or cultivation.
What do black billed gulls eat?
Black-billed gulls eat small fish, whitebait and flatfish, and take earthworms and grass grubs from pastureland. They also feed on the wing, taking cicadas, moths and aquatic insects. In winter they fly to estuaries and harbours to eat marine invertebrates and shellfish, or to parks for worms and human handouts.
