New Zealand is a country of variety, with a dramatic landscape of mountains, forests, lakes and rivers - the perfect back drop for scenic birding sites. Diverse habitats are home to unique wildlife, including the flightless kiwi whom the people of New Zealand are affectionately name after. With its oceanic setting New Zealand is also home to a fantastic array of sea birds that can be viewed at all times of the year.
| Around 17,000 gannets live at Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand's largest mainland colony. |
|
|
|
 |
The birds of New Zealand
New Zealand's sky and forest floor are abound with extraordinary birds. Whether you are visiting the coastal peninsulas of Kaikoura and Otago, relaxing on the beaches of the Abel Tasman, or cruising the waters of the Hauraki Gulf and Marlborough Sounds, you will witness birds in their native habitats.
Sixty-five of New Zealand's birds are endemic, they are found nowhere else on the planet.
The tui is a melodious bird with a metallic sheen and a tuft of white feathers under its chin, which sups on the nectar of native flowers. The mischievous kea, a mountain parrot, roams the South Island's alpine world and loves to snoop in campers' backpacks or grapple with the wipers on car windows.
|
FAST FACT:
Kiwi lay large eggs — about 20 percent of their body weight! |
|
|
|
Other well-known New Zealand native birds include the weka and morepork owl. The loveable weka is a flightless bird with a penchant for shiny objects, while the morepork is so named because of the sound of its call, often heard at night. Its Maori name, ruru, is also named after its call.
The true icon of New Zealand birds, is the kiwi - a flightless wonder with hair-like feathers, long whiskers and nostrils at the end of its bill to sniff out food. New Zealanders carry the nickname "Kiwi" and the bird graces our coins and lends its name to our currency.
85 species of seabirds breed in the region and many more visit New Zealand waters throughout the year. The mighty albatross, with a wing span of up to 3 metres across, is capable of swooping speeds of 115 kilometres per hour.
The little blue penguin is the smallest species of penguin, standing about 25-30cm tall, while the hoiho, or endangered yellow-eyed penguin is the focus of a number of conservation efforts.
Bird conservation
| |
| Large and beautifully coloured, the native wood pigeon is often seen on forest walks. |
|
|
|
New Zealanders hold their native birds in high esteem, and have created sanctuaries and conservation reserves throughout the country where bird populations are nurtured and humans can observe the birds in their native habitat.
The Department of Conservation has developed recovery plans for many threatened species to ensure their survival. Birds like the saddleback and the flightless parrot kakapo are transferred to offshore island sanctuaries to build up new populations. For many years now, offshore islands have been 'lifeboats' for our precious wildlife as they are easier to secure against the threats of introduced predators. However, new techniques and community support has meant the 'island' approach has been carried across to the mainland.
The recovery of the Chatham Island black robin is a world-renowned success story. In 1980 there were five birds remaining - today, after moving the only breeding pair to a pest-free island, there are 250 robins in existence.
Other endangered species, like the kaki (black stilt) and takahe, are reared in captivity then released into a managed environment.
There are success stories like the takahe, a colourful flightless bird with its blue-green cloak and vivid red beak, thought to be extinct for more than 50 years before being rediscovered in the tussock grasslands of Fiordland. The takahe remains on the endangered species list.
| Hoiho on the Otago Peninsula |
|
|
|
|
New Zealand's rarest bird the fairy tern, with only 36 remaining, are protected on sandy beaches two hours north of Auckland.
Tourism operators around New Zealand are also undertaking conservation measures to help preserve our bird population.
New Zealand's unique wildlife isn’t just found in sanctuaries. Birds can be seen and heard virtually everywhere in New Zealand - even in the cities, where the calls, hisses and croaks of tui can be heard amongst kowhai trees in suburban backyards. It's just a matter of getting out there, and discovering New Zealand as you seek out the birds.
|
 | Featured Activities | |
|
 |
|
NEW ZEALAND
NATIONAL PARKS |
Fourteen spectacular national parks preserve New Zealand's natural heritage. Our parks allow you to discover the heart and soul of a country that will never be totally tamed.
|
|
|
 |
Read more ›
|
|
