Shore Plover
Thinornis novaeseelandiae
Shore Plover (Thinornis novaeseelandiae) — Shorebirds, Gulls & Auks of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Shore Plover (Thinornis novaeseelandiae) is a member of the Charadriidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 61 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Charadriiformes
- Family Charadriidae Plovers
- Genus Thinornis
- Species novaeseelandiae
Where it lives
South East I. (=Rangatira, Chatham Is., east of South I.); reintroduced to New Zealand satellites
Quick facts
- Weight
- 61 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Charadriidae
- Order
- Charadriiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Shore Plover hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of coastal habitats, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Shore Plover is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Shore Plover (Thinornis novaeseelandiae) is a species of bird in the Charadriidae family, part of the order Charadriiformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU South East I. (=Rangatira, Chatham Is., e of South I.); reintroduced to New Zealand satellites.
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 61 g, with a wing length of about 11.7 cm and a tail of around 6 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 4 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Shore Plover?
The Shore Plover is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 61 g.
Where does the Shore Plover live?
The Shore Plover is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU South East I. (=Rangatira, Chatham Is., e of South I.); reintroduced to New Zealand satellites, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Shore Plover belong to?
The Shore Plover (Thinornis novaeseelandiae) belongs to the Charadriidae family, in the order Charadriiformes.
What does the Shore Plover eat?
The Shore Plover hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Shore Plover migrate?
The Shore Plover is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Shore Plover endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
How large is the Shore Plover's range?
The Shore Plover has a mapped global range of about 4 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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