Shore Plover Thinornis novaeseelandiae

Very rare, small, stocky plover endemic to New Zealand. Shows an orange bill with black tip, orange eye-ring and legs, and distinctive white “halo” around head, below crown. Males have black mask on face, neck, and throat; mask is dark brown in females. Note broad white wingbar in flight. Juveniles lack face mask. Gives a soft “kleet” call, but territorial song is loud and ringing, similar to oystercatcher piping. Only found on a few predator-free islands around the New Zealand mainland and the Chatham Islands. Some birds have wandered to nearby mainland areas. Juveniles could be confused with juvenile Double-banded Plover (Banded Dotterel) but have much longer bills.