Pohowera / Banded dotterel

Charadrius bicinctus

At Risk - Declining

Delicate, determined and perfectly camouflaged, the banded dotterel, or pohowera, is a small native shorebird that nests in some of Aotearoa’s harshest open landscapes, from braided rivers to coastal dunes. With its distinctive chest band and wide-eyed alertness, pohowera is both charming and vulnerable – especially during its exposed nesting season.

Quick Facts:

• Banded dotterels lay their eggs directly on gravel or sand, making nests easy to miss – and easy to disturb.
• Adults perform broken-wing displays to lure predators (or people) away from their nests.
• Some South Island pohowera migrate as far as Australia after breeding, while others stay year-round.
• Populations are in decline due to habitat loss, predators, and human disturbance.

Safeguarding pohowera means protecting fragile nesting grounds during breeding season – giving these quiet survivors a better chance to raise the next generation.

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