Marvel at the melodies of native New Zealand birds, like the tūi and bellbird.
New Zealand is home to many species not found anywhere else in the world, including a flightless parrot, a penguin with yellow eyes, and the only bird with nostrils at the end of its beak. Among bird enthusiasts, New Zealand is celebrated as the seabird capital of the world. To learn more about New Zealand’s birds, try the Department of Conservation’s bird identification course.(opens in new window)
To see most, if not all New Zealand’s endemic species, you'll need to travel through much of the three main islands. See Birding New Zealand for a full list of operators(opens in new window) that offer birdwatching tours, excursions, and accommodation.
Birdwatching in New Zealand is an all-year-round activity, but the seasons provide unique opportunities to observe different species and behaviour: