New Zealand Little Banded Dotterel

Coenocorypha pusilla

The New Zealand Little Banded Dotterel is a small shorebird native to New Zealand. It has a distinctive banded chestnut and white plumage, with a black band across its chest. This species is known for its agile running and quick movements as it forages for insects and small crustaceans along the shoreline. The New Zealand Little Banded Dotterel breeds in open grasslands and coastal areas, often nesting in shallow scrapes in the ground. It is a highly territorial species, fiercely defending its nesting site from intruders. Despite its small size, this bird is an important part of New Zealand's coastal ecosystems.

Habitat: Coastal areas and open grasslands