Black-fronted Dotterel

Description:

A distinctive small dotterel with a black stripe through the eye, black forehead and black V-shaped breast band. Different from the black 'mask' of the Shore Plover (Thinornis novaeseelandiae) shown earlier in this portfolio. The Black-fronted Dotterel also has a red eye ring, a black tipped red bill and a dark chestnut shoulder patch.

Habitat:

Recently 'self' colonized from Australia, they were first recorded in the 1950's in Hawkes Bay in the North Island and by the 1960's had spread down to the north of the South Island. A breeding pair established themselves in Mangere in South Auckland as recently as 2002 and small numbers can now be regularly observed there. Generally they prefer shingle beds of smaller rivers and muddy lake and lagoon edges.

Notes:

Although self introduced, there is no evidence to suggest that this species impacts with any others at any significant level. This bird was photographed at the South Auckland site. Ref: The Field Guide to the Birds of NZ. Heather & Robertson