New Zealand Plover

Anarhynchus obscurus - Gravelot roux Pluvier roux

Gravelot roux
Systematics
  • Order 
    :

    Charadriiformes

  • Family
    :

    Charadriidés

  • Genus
    :

    Anarhynchus

  • Species
    :

    obscurus

Descriptor

Gmelin, JF, 1789

Biometrics
  • Size
    : 28 cm
  • Wingspan
    : 46 à 50 cm.
  • Weight
    : 128 à 179 g
Longevity

31 years

Geographic range

Distribution

Identification

Gravelot roux
adult
Gravelot roux

The New Zealand Plover (Gravelot roux) is a large plover that could be mistaken for the turnstone (Calidris canutus), a species that winters in abundance in New Zealand. The black beak is quite long for a plover (approximately half the length of the head). During breeding plumage, the underside, from throat to belly, is orange-brown, distinctly more intense in males and the most southern birds. The upperparts are brownish, finely streaked with darker brown. The terminal lacing of feathers (remiges, scapulars and coverts) are whitish. The forehead is pale, as is the eyebrow. The eye is dark. The legs are gray-green. The juveniles are similar and have a whitish underside with a slightly darker mark on the side of the chest (much like the juvenile plovers of our lands). The upper feathers are edged with fawn instead of white. In flight, the underside of the wings is white and a broad white band crosses the upper wing.

Subspecific information 2 subspecies

  • Anarhynchus obscurus obscurus (South Island. New Zealand.)
  • Anarhynchus obscurus aquilonius (North Island. New Zealand.)

Foreign names

  • Gravelot roux,
  • Chorlito maorí de Isla Sur,
  • borrelho-de-peito-vermelho,
  • Maoriregenpfeifer,
  • Rosse Plevier,
  • Corriere pettorosso,
  • maoripipare,
  • Rustbuklo,
  • kulík maorský,
  • kulík novozélandský,
  • Newzealandsk Præstekrave,
  • uudenseelanninkurmitsa,
  • corriol maori de l'illa Sud,
  • sieweczka nowozelandzka,
  • Маорийский зуёк,
  • ニュージーランドチドリ,
  • 新西兰鸻,
  • 栗胸鴴,

Voice song and cries

Gravelot roux

The New Zealand Plover has a rolling call. On breeding sites, it emits a softer call (twouiit). During mating displays, it gives sets of calls that resemble the small plover's (Charadrius dubius).

Habitat

Gravelot roux

The New Zealand Plover is endemic to New Zealand. Two populations are separated by a good thousand kilometers.

The southern birds (obscurus) now only nest above the tree line on Stewart Island, in the tussocks of grass alternating with rocky zones. Those of the North Island (aquilonius) reproduce on the coast, on the edges of marshes and beaches. Outside of the mating season, these birds can be found in the marshes, mainly in estuaries. Apparently, they only make movements of a few tens of kilometers.

Behaviour character trait

Gravelot roux

These are not shy birds that form small groups in winter, although some couples stay together all year.

Flight

Gravelot roux
adult

Like all New Zealand Plovers, the flight is very jerky.

Dietfeeding habits

Gravelot roux

As with all species of the family, the New Zealand Plover is a predator that mainly consumes aquatic or terrestrial invertebrates. Its large size allows it to also capture small fish. It also eats small shells.

Reproduction nesting

Gravelot roux

The breeding season of the New Zealand Plover extends from August to February. Clutch size is generally 3 eggs laid in a shallow depression in the ground. The chicks are precocial. Territory is vigorously defended against intruders, whether of the same species or not. Potential predators are also chased off.

Geographic range

Distribution

Threats - protection

Gravelot roux
IUCN conservation status
Extinct
Threatened
Least
concern
Extinc
in the Wild
Near
threatened
Not
evaluated
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC NE

As many other species endemic to New Zealand, the New Zealand Plover is threatened (classified as vulnerable by BirdLife International). It used to be widespread throughout the country. It has completely disappeared from the South Island and only occupies the extreme North of the North Island and the Stewart Island mountains. In this island, the population which had been reduced to a little over 60 individuals in the early 1990s has gradually risen to 150 individuals in 1999. This increase is due to the very important predator control efforts (cats, mustelids). In the North Island, about 1500 birds can be found. The strong decrease recorded until the mid-20th century has several causes, the main one being the introduction of terrestrial predators (a study showed that in the North Island, 60% of the nests were destroyed by predators). To which are added urbanization of some coastal sites, breeding, leisure, dogs and off-road vehicles. A captive breeding program was set up for the southern form and young ones have been raised successfully.

Sources of information

Other sources of interest

QRcode Gravelot rouxSpecification sheet created on 04/08/2023 by
Translation by AI Oiseaux.net
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