Tuturiwhatu have disappeared from many New Zealand sites, including those where the habitat has changed little.
Key factors in their decline are introduced mammalian predators which prey on most eggs that are laid and many chicks, juveniles and adults. Invasive predators known to seriously impact on banded dotterels are feral cats, mustelids (ferrets, stoats and weasels), rats and hedgehogs. Habitat loss and human activities has also contributed to displacement of birds at some sites, particularly breeding sites.
It is one of the target species in our Braided Rivers Project.
Photos by: Tony Whitehead, Mike Ashbee, Kelly Johnson
