- Conservation status
- In some trouble
These sprightly shorebirds patrol seashores, estuaries and braided riverbeds, darting after tiny invertebrates in a run‑stop‑peck sprint. Pohowera means “burnt chest” and that’s a great way to spot them. Listen out for their sharp “chee‑aree‑aree” call. After breeding, about half of the population makes 1600-kilometre journey across the ditch to Australia. We try not to hold that against them.
Campaign Manager
Lower Hutt City Council
Our city (Lower Hutt) is home to two important breeding sites for the pohowera banded dotterel, yet many locals don’t realise they’re here or understand how significant these sites are.
This Bird of the Year, let’s shine a spotlight on Lower Hutt’s pohowera and the people working to protect them.
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