Family Plovers (Charadriidae)
Critically Endangered
Southern Red-breasted Plover (Charadrius obscurus)
Taxonomy
French: Pluvier roux German: Berg-Maoriregenpfeifer Spanish: Chorlito maorí de Isla Sur
Other common names:
Red-breasted Plover, Red-breasted Dotterel, New Zealand Plover, New Zealand Dotterel (when lumped with C. aquilonius)
Taxonomy:
Charadrius obscurus
J. F. Gmelin
, 1789,Dusky Sound, South Island, New Zealand
.Distribution:
Stewart I, New Zealand. Formerly widespread in South I, but now only post-breeding flocks at S tip#R.
Descriptive notes
26–28 cm; 147–179 g; wingspan 46–50 cm. Extent of reddish chestnut coloration on underparts very variable; bill often appears uptilted at tip. Sexes alike,... read more
Voice
Rather silent. Presumably similar to C. aquilonius, but no specific mention in literature... read more
Habitat
Breeds inland, on exposed hilltops above 300 m, except formerly at Mason Bay, Stewart I, where a... read more
Food and feeding
Molluscs, insects, amphipods, crabs, small fish (Rhombosolea sp.) and also earthworms. Feeds in typical plover style; occasionally... read more
Breeding
Lays probably c. 1 month later than C. aquilonius, but season not well known. Monogamous on long-term basis, with pair-bond held... read more
Movements
Leaves inland breeding areas for coast; juveniles often dispersive, some wintering on S coast of... read more
Status and conservation
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED. Until 19th century widespread, but has declined considerably in range and numbers during past 150 years, first noted by 1880s, with predation by feral... read more
Occasionally placed in Pluvialis, or this species and C. aquilonius united in Pluviorhynchus. Has alternatively been linked with C. bicinctus. Hitherto considered conspecific with C. aquilonius (which see). Monotypic.