Habitat networks of indigenous shorebirds in New Zealand 

Dowding, J. E.; Moore, S. J.  

2006 

 

 

Report 

This report reviews current knowledge and collates information on the important regions, habitats and sites used by seven endemic shorebird species in New Zealand: New Zealand pied oystercatcher (Haematopus finschi), variable oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor), pied stilt (Himantopus himantopus leucocephalus), black stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae), New Zealand dotterel (Charadrius obscurus), banded dotterel (Charadrius bicinctus) and wrybill (Anarhynchus frontalis). For each taxon, we outline its status, range and numbers, and describe important breeding and non-breeding sites. We summarise information on movement patterns and links between breeding and non-breeding areas. We also identify sites where there is significant overlap between these endemic species and Arctic-breeding migrant waders. Many of the wintering sites are important to several of these taxa. Nineteen sites (mostly well-defined harbours or estuaries) are identified as having national significance to endemic shorebirds, and 15 of these have been previously identified as wetlands of national significance. Key regions for breeding or wintering shorebirds were northern North Island east-coast beaches and estuaries; large northern North Island harbours (particularly Kaipara, Manukau and Firth of Thames); northern South Island estuaries, particularly Farewell Spit and Tasman Bay; smaller estuaries and lagoons on the east coast of the South Island; and large braided riverbeds in the central South Island. Shorebird flocks are often highly mobile. Little is known about the important feeding areas for many taxa, and little attention has been given to potential threats in non-breeding areas. All significant populations of all indigenous shorebird species come into contact with Arctic-breeding migrant waders to some degree. 

 

Charadrius bicinctus; Himantopus novaezelandiae; Haematopus finschi; Coastal lagoons; Endemic species; South Island Oystercatcher; Variable Oystercatcher Brackish; Biogeophysical; Habitat selection; Geographical distribution; Black-winged Stilt; Himantopus himantopus; Charadrius obscurus; Wetlands; Aquatic birds; PSE, New Zealand, South I., Tasman Bay Black Stilt; Article Geographic Terms: PSE, New Zealand, North I.; Haematopus unicolor; Article Taxonomic Terms: Anarhynchus frontalis; Marine; Q1 01362 Geographical distribution; Local movements