Story: Wading birds

New Zealand shore plover juvenile

New Zealand shore plover juvenile

Juvenile New Zealand shore plovers have very different head and shoulder markings from the adults. Shore plovers are not known as long-distance fliers, but in 2005 a captive-reared three-month-old fledgling, released on an island in Hawke’s Bay, flew 300 kilometres back to the Mt Bruce Wildlife Centre, where it had hatched.

Using this item

Department of Conservation
Reference: 10057175
Photograph by Don Merton

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How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching, 'Wading birds - Wrybills and shore plovers', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/9177/new-zealand-shore-plover-juvenile (accessed 29 March 2024)

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