Story: Wading birds

Male dotterel displaying

Male dotterel displaying

This male New Zealand dotterel in full breeding plumage is giving a distraction display to try and lure the photographer away from the nest. The former breeding range of the southern subspecies included the high country of the eastern South Island, but Stewart Island is now their only breeding site. They breed above the bush line, while the northern subspecies breeds on the coast.

Using this item

Department of Conservation
Reference: 10031565
Photograph by Don Merton

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How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching, 'Wading birds - Dotterels', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/9168/male-dotterel-displaying (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 12 Jun 2006, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015