Southern New Zealand dotterel

The southern red-breasted plover or southern New Zealand dotterel (Charadrius obscurus obscurus) is a bird endemic to New Zealand, and was once widespread across the South Island, though now it breeds nearly exclusively on Stewart Island.

Charadrius obscurus obscurus
Southern NZ Dotterel on its breeding grounds on hills of Tin Range in Stewart Island
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae
Genus: Charadrius
Species:
C. obscurus
Subspecies:
C. o. obscurus
Trinomial name
Charadrius obscurus obscurus
Gmelin, 1789

Taxonomy

Together, the southern New Zealand dotterel, and its cousin, the northern New Zealand dotterel, were lumped into one species under the name New Zealand dotterel. However, studies have shown that there are significant morphological differences to justify the separation of these two subspecies, with the southern subspecies being far more bulkier. Not only that, but different environments on the South Island may have given rise to different features, such as stronger winds necessitating a longer middle toe and claw. There are also significant differences in behavior, with the northern New Zealand dotterel preferring sandy beaches, while the southern New Zealand dotterel prefers inland nest sites, wintering on the South Island's beaches.[2] In 2014, this subspecies was split by some taxonomic authorities.[3]

Distribution and Habitat

While it was formerly found throughout the South Island, it is currently restricted to Stewart Island, where it breeds on inland mountain tops, plains, and river valleys.[1][2]

Status

It has been subject to numerous fluctuations. While it was extirpated from the South Island primarily due to introduced species, such as feral cats and stoats, it experienced a brief swell in population size to around 290 birds in 2005, followed by a period of intense decline for unclear reasons, dropping to around 120 individuals. While the cause is unknown, it has been concluded it is not due to a lack of recruitment, but rather some decline of mature birds, as suggested by the sheer drop in population. Consequently, it has been categorized as critically endangered.

References
  1. BirdLife International (2019). "Charadrius obscurus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2019.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Dowding, John (1994). "Morphometrics and ecology of the New Zealand Dotterel ( Charadrius obscurus ), with a description of a new subspecies". Notornis. 41 (4): 221–233.
  3. del Hoyo, J.; Collar, N.J.; Christie, D.A.; Elliott, A.; Fishpool, L.D.C. "HBW and BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Non-passerines" (PDF). BirdLife. Lynx Edicions BirdLife International. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.