tuturuatu
1. (noun) shore plover, Thinornis novaeseelandiae - a rare endemic dotterel that was once widespread but is now found only on the Chathan Islands and predator free islands. Crown, neck and underparts greyish brown; white halo around the head above the eyes; black forehead, side of the face and throat in males, dirty brown in females. Underparts white. Bill red tipped black; legs orange.
Synonyms: kohutapu
2. (noun) New Zealand dotterel, Charadrius obscurus - a squat bird with a large head, robust bill and rusty orange chest in breeding birds. Found on beaches, river mouths and estuaries. This name is also sometimes used for the banded dotterel.
See also tūturiwhatu
Synonyms: tākaikaha, tākaikai, turiwhati, tūturiwhati, turiwhatu, turuwhatu, rako, tākahikahi, kūkuruatu, turuturuwhatu, turuatu, tūturiwhatu, tuturuwhatu
