Self introduced from Australia to Southland in the 1930s the spur-winged plover is now found throughout New Zealand in open country pastures, wetland margins and estuaries. 

This large noisy plover has a black on its crown, the back of its neck and shoulders in front of the bend of the wing. The back and wings are brown with a dark trailing edge to the wings, the rump is white and the tail is tipped black. The under parts are white and the legs and feet are reddish. The bill is yellow and the bird has a yellow facial patch and prominent wattles. The call is a loud staccato rattle ‘kerr-kick-ki-ki-ki’.

Spur-winged plovers eat earthworms and insects and their larvae, crustaceans and molluscs and also seeds and leaves.

Breeding takes place between June and late November with the peak in August. Several clutches are laid each year. The nest is a scrape in the ground, unlined or scantily lined, situated in rough open pasture, a flat wet area or on stony ground. The clutch of 1–4 khaki eggs with brownish, black blotches is incubated by both sexes for 30 31 days. The fledging period is 7–8 weeks.

Spur-winged plovers are often seen in the mown grassy areas of Tiritiri Matangi, especially at the southern end of the Island.

Discover more about the spur-winged plover at New Zealand Birds Online.

Photography by:  Dr Kerry Rodgers ©

References: Heather, B.D.; Robertson, H.A. 2000 The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. Auckland, Viking. Moon, G The Reed Field Guide to New Zealand Birds.