New Zealand Dotterel

Charadrius obscurus, the tūturiwhatu, is a large endemic shorebird breeding on New Zealand coasts. It differs from banded dotterel through its heavier body, lack of a complete breast-band and orange-red breeding underparts. Adults are pale brown above with a white forehead and underparts that become orange in breeding plumage. The bill is stout and black, and the legs are grey.

The northern form breeds mainly around North Island coasts, while a distinct southern population survives on Stewart Island/Rakiura. Beaches, dunes and estuary margins are essential habitat. It eats marine worms, crustaceans and insects by running and pecking. Pairs nest in shallow scrapes above the high-tide line.

The checklist classification is Recovering. Tāwharanui Regional Park, Mangawhai and protected Coromandel beaches offer good viewing in season.