Waders (Charadriiformes)

Banded Dotterel (Charadrius bicinctusr) (Tuturiwhatu)

This medium sized dotterel is often hard to distingish owing to the confusing range of plumages which change with age, sex and time of year. Breeding adults have white underparts except for a black band on the lower neck and a wide chestnut band accross the breast, the males bands are wider and brighter. This species breeds on sandy beaches, shellbanks and in riverbeds. Flocks are occaisonally seen around the lagoons on the Otago peninsula during tours. All have a short dark gray bill, black eyes and yellow/grey/green legs