Banded Dotterel

Maori Name: Tuturiwhata

Charadrias bicinctus

Also known as the double-banded plover, the banded dotterel is the most abundant and widespread of the plovers and endemic to NZ. It characteristically runs and pauses when feeding and is often seen in large flocks standing motionless in ploughed paddocks. 

West Coast banded dDotterel migrate mainly to Farewell Spit and return to their West Coast breedings sites late July. Some banded dotterels breed around the sandy coasts, especially near stream or river mouths of both main islands, but generally they prefer shingle and braided riverbeds.  Nesting sites are at least 50m apart from each other and are often on level consolidated ground without shrubs and with a clear all-round view.  The males prepare a series of shallow scrapes, one of which is chosen as a nest.  The male then deepens the chosen scrape to between two and a half and four centimetres deep, which he will line with plant fragments, dung and small stones.  Most birds lay between August and December with a peak in late September/early October.  Two to four eggs are laid and both parents will incubate them for 25-27 days, the female during the day and the male at night.  The chicks will feed independently while the parents guard them, until five or six weeks when the chicks fledge.  The parents remain with them in the territory until several days after fledging when they join flocks.

The breeding male has a white patch above his bill with a black patch above that.  His head is brown with a black line from the bill to under eye.  He has brown upperparts and a white chin with an under chin band that is black above and white below, a rich chestnut breast band and white underparts.  The breeding female is similar to the male but paler with the lower breast band being narrower and lest distinct.  Immature birds are paler than adult birds, have no breast band and are of a fawn-y appearance.  During the winter both sexes are dull, retaining a partial upper breast band.  By July full breeding plumage becomes apparent.

Although the banded dotterel only breeds in NZ, they do migrate to south-eastern Australia in winter, a few visit Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands, and some even make it to Vanuatu, New Caledonia and the Kermadecs.  They are found throughout NZ other than Fiordland and King Country.

The banded dotterel was once shot in large numbers but has been protected since 1908, and is now moderately common.  The biggest threat this bird faces is from predation by introduced mammals, and loss of some habitat to hydroelectric developments and irrigation schemes.

Dogs, horses and 4WD vehicles also pose a threat to nesting birds. It is important to be aware of shorebirds and keep clear to avoid disturbing them particularly during the breeding season.

On the West Coast, banded dotterels can be seen around coastal lakes and lagoons and on sandy beaches, especially near stream or rivermouths. Can be seen nesting on Okarito beach.