kids encyclopedia robot

List of birds of New Zealand facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This is the list of the birds of New Zealand. The common name of the bird in New Zealand English is given first, and its Māori-language name, if different, is also noted.

The North Island and South Island are the two largest islands of New Zealand. Stewart Island is the largest of the smaller islands. New Zealand proper also includes outlying islands such as the Chatham Islands, Kermadec Islands, and New Zealand Subantarctic Islands. Only New Zealand proper is represented on this list, not the Realm of New Zealand. For birds in the associated states or dependent territories, see List of birds of the Cook Islands, List of birds of Niue, List of birds of Tokelau, and List of birds of Antarctica.

Unless otherwise noted, all species listed below occur regularly in New Zealand as permanent residents, summer or winter visitors, or migrants. The species marked extinct became extinct subsequent to human arrival in New Zealand. About two thirds of the extinctions occurred after the arrival of Māori but before the arrival of Pākehā (European New Zealanders) and the rest since Pākehā arrived.

The following codes are used to denote other categories of species:

  • (B) Breeding – confirmed nesting records in New Zealand or a portion thereof, excluding introduced species.
  • (I) Introduced – a species introduced to New Zealand by the actions of humans, either directly or indirectly
  • (X) Extinct – a species that became extinct after human arrival in New Zealand
  • (ex) Extirpated – a species no longer found in New Zealand or a portion thereof but existing elsewhere
  • (P) – a regularly occurring in New Zealand or a portion thereof. The species occurs on an annual or mostly annual basis but does not nest in New Zealand.
  • (V) Vagrant – a species rarely occurring in New Zealand or a portion thereof.

The list's taxonomic treatment and nomenclature (common and scientific names) mainly follows the conventions of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition. Some supplemental referencing is that of the Avibase Bird Checklists of the World as of 2022, and the 4th edition of the Checklist of the Birds of New Zealand, published in 2010 by Te Papa Press in association with the Ornithological Society of New Zealand, which is an authoritative list of the birds of New Zealand.

NZL orthographic NaturalEarth labelled en
Location of the Realm of New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean and Antarctica.

Kiwi

Order: Apterygiformes   Family: Apterygidae

Kiwi are flightless birds all native to New Zealand. Approximately the size of a domestic chicken, kiwi are by far the smallest ratites.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Southern brown kiwi
(Māori: tokoeka)
Apteryx australis
B B
Okarito kiwi
(Māori: rowi)
Apteryx rowi
B
North Island brown kiwi
Apteryx mantelli
B
Little spotted kiwi
(Māori: kiwi pukupuku)
Apteryx owenii
B B
Great spotted kiwi
(Māori: roroa)
Apteryx haastii
B

Giant moa

Order: Dinornithiformes   Family: Dinornithidae

The giant moa (Dinornis) is an extinct genus of birds belonging to the moa family. As with other moa, it was a member of the order Dinornithiformes. It was endemic to New Zealand. Two species of Dinornis are considered valid, the North Island giant moa (Dinornis novaezealandiae) and the South Island giant moa (Dinornis robustus). In addition, two further species (new lineage A and lineage B) have been suggested based on distinct DNA lineages.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
North Island giant moa
Dinornis novaezealandiae
X
South Island giant moa
Dinornis robustus
X X

Lesser moa

Order: Dinornithiformes   Family: Emeidae

The lesser moa (family Emeidae) were a family of moa. The moa were ratites from New Zealand. About two-thirds of all moa species are in the lesser moa family.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Bush moa
Anomalopteryx didiformis
X X
Eastern moa
Emeus crassus
X
Broad-billed moa
Euryapteryx curtus
X X
Heavy-footed moa
Pachyornis elephantopus
X X
Mantell's moa
Pachyornis geranoides
X
Crested moa
Pachyornis australis
X

Upland moa

Order: Dinornithiformes   Family: Megalapterygidae

The upland moa (Megalapteryx didinus) was a species of moa endemic to New Zealand. It was a ratite, a grouping of flightless birds with no keel on the sternum. It was the last moa species to become extinct, vanishing in 1445 CE, and was predominantly found in alpine and sub-alpine environments.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Upland moa
Megalapteryx didinus
X

Ducks, geese, and swans

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are adapted for an aquatic existence, with webbed feet, bills that are flattened to a greater or lesser extent, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to special oils. The Cape Barren goose is also recorded as an escape from captivity in New Zealand which has bred, as well as being a vagrant from Australia as set out in the table below.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Plumed whistling-duck
Dendrocygna eytoni
V V V
Greylag goose
Anser anser
I I I
Canada goose
Branta canadensis
V I I V V
Cape Barren goose
Cereopsis novahollandiae
V V
North Island goose
Cnemiornis gracilis
X
South Island goose
Cnemiornis calcitrans
X
Mute swan
Cygnus olor
I I
Black swan
Cygnus atratus
I I I
New Zealand swan
(Māori: poūwa)
Cygnus sumnerensis
X X
Australian shelduck
Tadorna tadornoides
V V V V V V V V
Paradise shelduck
(Māori: pūtangitangi)
Tadorna variegata
V B B B V
Australian wood duck
Chenonetta jubata
V V
Finsch's duck
Chenonetta finschi
X X
Blue duck
(Māori: whio)
Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos
B B
Australasian shoveler
(Māori: kuruwhengi)
Spatula rhynchotis
B B V V V V
Northern shoveler
Spatula clypeata
V V
Pacific black duck or grey duck
(Māori: pārera)
Anas superciliosa
ex B B V V ex ex ex
Chatham duck
Anas chathamica
X
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
I I I I I I I I
Northern pintail
Anas acuta
V
Grey teal
(Māori: tētē)
Anas gracilis
B B V V V V V
Chestnut teal
Anas castanea
V V
Auckland teal
Anas aucklandica
B
Campbell teal
Anas nesiotis
B
Brown teal
(Māori: pāteke)
Anas chlorotis
B B ex ex
Scarlett's duck
Malacorhynchus scarletti
X X X
Pink-eared duck
Malacorhynchus membranaceus
V
Hardhead
Aythya australis
V V V
New Zealand scaup
(Māori: pāpango)
Aythya novaeseelandiae
B B ex ex
New Zealand musk duck
Biziura delautouri
X X
New Zealand merganser
Mergus australis
X X X X
Chatham merganser
Mergus milleneri
X
New Zealand stiff-tailed duck
Oxyura vantetsi
X X

Guineafowl

Order: Galliformes   Family: Numididae

The guineafowl are a family of birds native to Africa. They typically eat insects and seeds, are ground-nesting, and resemble partridges, except with featherless heads.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Helmeted guineafowl
Numida meleagris
I I I

New World quail

Order: Galliformes   Family: Odontophoridae

The New World quails are small, plump terrestrial birds only distantly related to the quails of the Old World, but named for their similar appearance and habits.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
California quail
Callipepla californica
I I I

Megapodes

Order: Galliformes   Family: Megapodiidae

The megapodes are stocky, medium-large, chicken-like birds with small heads and large feet. Their name literally means "large foot" and is a reference to the heavy legs and feet typical of these terrestrial birds. All are browsers, and all but the malleefowl occupy wooded habitats.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Kermadec megapode
Megapodius sp. nov. 'Raoul Island'
X

Pheasants and allies

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

Phasianidae consists of the pheasants and their allies. These are terrestrial species, variable in size but generally plump, with broad, relatively short wings. Many species are gamebirds or have been domesticated as a food source for humans.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Indian peafowl
Pavo cristatus
I I
Brown quail
Synoicus ypsilophorus
I
New Zealand quail
(Māori: koreke)
Coturnix novaezelandiae
X X
Chukar partridge
Alectoris chukar
I
Red-legged partridge
Alectoris rufa
I I
Red junglefowl
Gallus gallus
I
Common pheasant
Phasianus colchicus
I I
Wild turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
I I

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Australasian grebe
Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
B P
Hoary-headed grebe
Poliocephalus poliocephalus
V V V V
New Zealand grebe
Poliocephalus rufopectus
B V
Great crested grebe
Podiceps cristatus
V B

Pigeons and doves

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Rock dove
Columba livia
I I I V V V
African collared dove
Streptopelia roseogrisea
I I
Spotted dove
Streptopelia chinensis
I
Rose-crowned fruit dove
Ptilinopus regina
V
Kererū or New Zealand pigeon
Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae
B B B
Chatham pigeon
(Māori: parea)
Hemiphaga chathamensis
B

Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Pacific long-tailed cuckoo
(Māori: koekoeā)
Urodynamis taitensis
P B B P P P
Channel-billed cuckoo
Scythrops novaehollandiae
V V
Shining bronze-cuckoo
(Māori: pīpīwharauroa)
Chrysococcyx lucidus
P B B B B P P
Pallid cuckoo
Cacomantis pallidus
V V
Fan-tailed cuckoo
Cacomantis flabelliformis
V V
Oriental cuckoo
Cuculus optatus
V V V V V

Owlet-nightjars

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Aegothelidae

The owlet-nightjars are a distinctive group of small nocturnal birds related to swifts found from the Maluku Islands and New Guinea to Australia and New Caledonia.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
New Zealand owlet-nightjar
Aegotheles novaezealandiae
X X

Swifts

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
White-throated needletail
Hirandapus caudacutus
P P P P P P
Pacific swift
Apus pacificus
V V V V

Adzebills

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Aptornithidae

The adzebills, genus Aptornis, were two closely related bird species of the extinct family Aptornithidae.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
North Island adzebill
Aptornis otidiformis
X
South Island adzebill
Aptornis defossor
X

Rails

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. The most typical family members occupy dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Corn crake
Crex crex
V
Auckland rail
Lewinia muelleri
B
Weka
Gallirallus australis
B B B I
Buff-banded rail
Gallirallus philippensis
B B B
Chatham rail
Cabalus modestus
X
Dieffenbach's rail
Hypotaenidia dieffenbachii
X
Snipe-rail
Capellirallus karamu
X
Hawkins's rail
Diaphorapteryx hawkinsi
X
Black-tailed nativehen
Tribonyx ventralis
V V
Hodgens' waterhen
Tribonyx hodgenorum
X X
Australian crake
Porzana fluminea
V
Eurasian moorhen
Gallinula chloropus
V
Dusky moorhen
Gallinula tenebrosa
V
New Zealand coot
Fulica prisca
X X
Eurasian coot
Fulica atra
B B
Chatham coot
Fulica chathamensis
X
North Island takahē
Porphyrio mantelli
X
South Island takahē
Porphyrio hochstetteri
B
Australasian swamphen or pūkeko
(Māori: pūkeko)
Porphyrio melanotus
I I I I I V
Marsh crake
Zapornia pusilla
B B B B
Spotless crake
Zapornia tabuensis
B B B ex

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances".

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Brolga
Antigone rubicunda
V V

Stilts and avocets

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Pied stilt
(Māori: poaka)
Himantopus leucocephalus
B B B
Black stilt
(Māori: kakī)
Himantopus novaezelandiae
P B
Red-necked avocet
Recurvirostra novaehollandiae
V V

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large, obvious and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prying open molluscs.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
South Island oystercatcher
(Māori: tōrea)
Haematopus finschi
V P B P V V V V
Chatham oystercatcher
Haematopus chathamensis
B
Variable oystercatcher
(Māori: tōrea pango)
Haematopus unicolor
B B B

Plovers and lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Grey plover
Pluvialis squatarola
V V V V
American golden plover
Pluvialis dominica
V
Pacific golden plover
Pluvialis fulva
P P P P P V
Masked lapwing or spur-wing plover
Vanellus miles
V B B B B V V V V
New Zealand dotterel
(Māori: tūturiwhatu, pukunui, kūkuruatu)
Charadrius obscurus
B B P
Lesser sand plover
Charadrius mongolus
P P V
Greater sand plover
Charadrius leschenaulti
P P
Double-banded plover
Charadrius bicinctus
V B B B B B P
Red-capped plover
Charadrius ruficapillus
V V
Common ringed plover
Charadrius hiaticula
V
Semipalmated plover
Charadrius semipalmatus
V
Oriental plover
Charadrius veredus
V V V V
Red-kneed dotterel
Erythrogonys cinctus
V
Shore plover
(Māori: tuturuatu)
Thinornis novaeseelandiae
B B B B
Black-fronted dotterel
Elseyornis melanops
B B
Wrybill
(Māori: ngutu parore)
Anarhynchus frontalis
P B

Painted-snipes

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Rostratulidae

Painted-snipes are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Greater painted-snipe
Rostratula benghalensis
V
Australian painted-snipe
Rostratula australis
V

Sandpipers and allies

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

The Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Different lengths of legs and bills enable multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Upland sandpiper
Bartramia longicauda
V
Bristle-thighed curlew
Numenius tahitiensis
V
Eurasian whimbrel
Numenius phaeopus
V P P V
Little curlew
Numenius minutus
P P
Far Eastern curlew
Numenius madagascarensis
V P P V V V
Bar-tailed godwit
Limosa lapponica
P P
Black-tailed godwit
Limosa limosa
P P P V
Hudsonian godwit
Limosa haemastica
P P P V
Ruddy turnstone
Arenaria interpres
V P P P P V P V V
Great knot
Calidris tenuirostris
P P
Red knot
(Māori: huahou)
Calidris canutus
V P P P V V
Ruff
Calidris pugnax
V
Broad-billed sandpiper
Calidris falcinellus
V V
Sharp-tailed sandpiper
Calidris acuminata
V P P P P V V
Stilt sandpiper
Calidris himantopus
V
Curlew sandpiper
Calidris ferruginea
P P V V
Long-toed stint
Calidris subminuta
V
Red-necked stint
Calidris ruficollis
P P V V
Sanderling
Calidris alba
P P V
Dunlin
Calidris alpina
V
Baird's sandpiper
Calidris bairdii
V
Little stint
Calidris minuta
V
Least sandpiper
Calidris minutilla
V
White-rumped sandpiper
Calidris fuscicollis
V
Buff-breasted sandpiper
Calidris subruficollis
V
Pectoral sandpiper
Calidris melanotos
P P V
Western sandpiper
Calidris mauri
V V
Asian dowitcher
Limnodromus semipalmatus
V V
North Island snipe
Coenocorypha barrierensis
X
South Island snipe
Coenocorypha iredalei
X X
Chatham snipe
Coenocorypha pusilla
B
Forbes's snipe
Coenocorypha chathamica
X
Snares snipe
Coenocorypha huegeli
B
Subantarctic snipe
Coenocorypha aucklandica
B B B
Latham's snipe
Gallinago hardwickii
V V V V
Terek sandpiper
Xenus cinereus
V V
Wilson's phalarope
Phalaropus tricolor
V V
Red-necked phalarope
Phalaropus lobatus
V V
Red phalarope
Phalaropus fulicarius
V V
Common sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucos
V V V
Grey-tailed tattler
Tringa brevipes
V P P V V V
Wandering tattler
Tringa incana
V P P V V
Common greenshank
Tringa nebularia
P P V V V
Lesser yellowlegs
Tringa flavipes
V V V
Marsh sandpiper
Tringa stagnatilis
P P P

Pratincoles and coursers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Glareolidae

Pratincoles have short legs, very long pointed wings and long forked tails. Their most unusual feature for birds classed as waders is that they typically hunt their insect prey on the wing like swallows, although they can also feed on the ground. Their short bills are an adaptation to aerial feeding.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Oriental pratincole
Glareola maldivarum
V V V V

Skuas

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

They are in general medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They have longish bills with hooked tips and webbed feet with sharp claws. They look like large dark gulls, but have a fleshy cere above the upper mandible. They are strong, acrobatic fliers.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
South polar skua
Stercorarius maccormicki
V V V V V V V V V V
Brown skua
Stercorarius antarcticus
P P B B B B B B B P
Pomarine jaeger
Stercorarius pomarinus
P P P
Parasitic jaeger
Stercorarius parasiticus
V P P P V
Long-tailed jaeger
Stercorarius longicaudus
P P P

Gulls, terns, and skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds and includes gulls, terns, kittiwakes and skimmers. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Black-billed gull
Chroicocephalus bulleri
B B
Silver gull
Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae
B B B B B B B
Laughing gull
Leucophaeus atricilla
V
Franklin's gull
Leucophaeus pipixcan
V V V
Pacific gull
Larus pacificus
V
Kelp gull
(Māori: karoro}
Larus dominicanus
V B B B B B B B B B
Brown noddy
Anous stolidus
B V
Black noddy
Anous minutus
B V
Grey noddy
Anous albivitta
B P P
Blue noddy
Anous ceruleus
P V V
White tern
Gygis alba
B V V
Sooty tern
Onychoprion fuscatus
B V
Spectacled tern
Onychoprion lunatus
V
Bridled tern
Onychoprion anaethetus
V
Little tern
Sternula albifrons
V P P V
Fairy tern
Sternula nereis
B ex
Gull-billed tern
Gelochelidon nilotica
P P
Caspian tern
(Māori: taranui)
Hydroprogne caspia
V P P V
Black tern
Chlidonias niger
V
White-winged tern
Chlidonias leucopterus
P P
Whiskered tern
Chlidonias hybrida
V V
Black-fronted tern
(Māori: tarapiroe)
Chlidonias albostriatus
P B
White-fronted tern
Sterna striata
B B B B B B
Black-naped tern
Sterna sumatrana
V
Common tern
Sterna hirundo
P P
Arctic tern
Sterna paradisaea
V V V V V V V V
Antarctic tern
Sterna vittata
V P B V B B B B B
Greater crested tern
Thalasseus bergii
V V V

Tropicbirds

Order: Phaethontiformes   Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their long wings have black markings, as does the head.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
White-tailed tropicbird
Phaethon lepturus
V
Red-tailed tropicbird
(Māori: amokura)
Phaethon rubricauda
B P

Penguins

Order: Sphenisciformes   Family: Spheniscidae

The penguins are a group of aquatic, flightless birds living almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere. Most penguins feed on krill, fish, squid, and other forms of sealife caught while swimming underwater.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
King penguin
Aptenodytes patagonicus
V V V V V V V
Emperor penguin
Aptenodytes forsteri
V V
Adélie penguin
Pygoscelis adeliae
V
Chinstrap penguin
Pygoscelis antarcticus
V V V
Gentoo penguin
Pygoscelis papua
V V V V
Little penguin
(Māori: kororā)
Eudyptula minor
B B B B V
Australian little penguin
Eudyptula novaehollandiae
I
Yellow-eyed penguin
(Māori: hoiho)
Megadyptes antipodes
V I I ex V B B
Waitaha penguin
Megadyptes waitaha
X X
Magellanic penguin
Spheniscus magellanicus
V V
Fiordland penguin
(Māori: tawaki, pokotiwha)
Eudyptes pachyrhynchus
V B B V V V
Snares penguin
Eudyptes robustus
V V V V B V V V
Erect-crested penguin
Eudyptes sclateri
V V V V V V V B B
Southern rockhopper penguin
Eudyptes chrysocome
V
Northern rockhopper penguin
Eudyptes moseleyi
V V
Royal penguin
Eudyptes schlegeli
V V V V V V
Macaroni penguin
Eudyptes chrysolophus
V V
Chatham penguin
Eudyptes warhami
X

Albatrosses

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are a family of large seabird found across the Southern and North Pacific Oceans. The largest are among the largest flying birds in the world.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Indian yellow-nosed albatross
Thalassarche carteri
P P P P
Grey-headed albatross
Thalassarche chrysostoma
P P P P P P P B P P
Buller's albatross
Thalassarche bulleri
P P B P B B P P P P
Shy albatross
Thalassarche cauta
P P P P B P B P B P
Salvin's albatross
Thalassarche salvini
P P P P P B P P P B
Chatham albatross
Thalassarche eremita
P P P P B P P P P
Black-browed albatross
Thalassarche melanophris
P P P P P B P B B P
Sooty albatross
Phoebetria fusca
V V V V
Light-mantled albatross
Phoebetria palpebrata
P P P P P B B B P
Southern royal albatross
Diomedea epomophora
B B B
Northern royal albatross
Diomedea sanfordi
B B B
Wandering albatross
Diomedea exulans
P
Laysan albatross
Phoebastria immutabilis
V
Black-footed albatross
Phoebastria nigripes
V

Austral storm petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Oceanitidae

The southern storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds, relatives of the petrels, feeding on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. Their flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Wilson's storm petrel
Oceanites oceanicus
P
Grey-backed storm petrel
Garrodia nereis
P P P B P B P B P
White-faced storm petrel
Pelagodroma marina
B B B B B P B P P P
White-bellied storm petrel
Fregetta grallaria
B V
New Zealand storm petrel
Fregetta maoriana
B
Black-bellied storm petrel
Fregetta tropica
P P P P P P B P B B

Northern storm petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Hydrobatidae

Northern storm-petrels are small birds which spend most of their lives at sea, coming ashore only to breed. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering or pattering across the water. Their flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Leach's storm petrel
Hydrobates leucorhous
V V
Swinhoe's storm petrel
Hydrobates monorhis
V

Petrels and shearwaters

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium nasal septum, and a long outer functional primary flight feather.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Southern giant petrel
Macronectes giganteus
P
Northern giant petrel
Macronectes halli
P P P B P B B B
Northern fulmar
Fulmarus glacialis
V
Southern fulmar
Fulmarus glacialoides
P
Antarctic petrel
Thalassoica antarctica
V
Cape petrel
Daption capense
P P P B B B B B B
Snow petrel
Pagodroma nivea
V
Kerguelen petrel
Aphrodroma brevirostris
P P P P P P P P P
Great-winged petrel
Pterodroma macroptera
P P
Grey-faced petrel
Pterodroma gouldi
P B P P P P P P P P
Kermadec petrel
Pterodroma neglecta
B V V
Magenta petrel
Pterodroma magentae
B
Herald petrel
Pterodroma heraldica
V
Providence petrel
Pterodroma solandri
V V V
Soft-plumaged petrel
Pterodroma mollis
P P P B P P P B P
White-headed petrel
Pterodroma lessonii
P P P P P B B? B P
Mottled petrel
Pterodroma inexpectata
P P B B P B P P P P
Juan Fernández petrel
Pterodroma externa
V V V V
White-necked petrel
Pterodroma cervicalis
B P P P
Black-winged petrel
Pterodroma nigripennis
B B P B P P P P
Chatham petrel
Pterodroma axillaris
B
Cook's petrel
Pterodroma cookii
P B P B P P P P P P
Gould's petrel
Pterodroma leucoptera
P V
Collared petrel
Pterodroma brevipes
V
Stejneger's petrel
Pterodroma longirostris
V V
Pycroft's petrel
Pterodroma pycrofti
V B V
Phoenix petrel
Pterodroma alba
V
Imber's petrel
Pterodroma imberi
X
Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Blue petrel
Halobaena caerulea
P
Fairy prion
Pachyptila turtur
P B B B B B B B B P
Broad-billed prion
Pachyptila vittata
P P B B B B P P P P
Salvin's prion
Pachyptila salvini
P
Antarctic prion
Pachyptila desolata
P P P P P P B B P P
Slender-billed prion
Pachyptila belcheri
P
Fulmar prion
Pachyptila crassirostris
P P P P B B B P P B
Bulwer's petrel
Bulweria bulwerii
V
Tahiti petrel
Pseudobulweria rostrata
V
Grey petrel
Procellaria cinerea
P P P P P P P B B P
White-chinned petrel
Procellaria aequinoctialis
P P P P P P B B B P
Black petrel
Procellaria parkinsoni
P B P P
Westland petrel
Procellaria westlandica
P P B P P P P P P P
Streaked shearwater
Calonectris leucomelas
V
Cory's shearwater
Calonectris borealis
V
Pink-footed shearwater
Ardenna creatopus
V
Flesh-footed shearwater
Ardenna carneipes
P B P P
Great shearwater
Ardenna gravis
V V V
Wedge-tailed shearwater
Ardenna pacifica
B P
Buller's shearwater
Ardenna bulleri
P B P P P P
Sooty shearwater
(Māori: tītī)
Ardenna grisea
P B B B B B B B B P
Short-tailed shearwater
Ardenna tenuirostris
P
Christmas shearwater
Puffinus nativitatis
V V
Manx shearwater
Puffinus puffinus
V
Hutton's shearwater
Puffinus huttoni
P B P P
Newell's shearwater
Puffinus newelli
V
Fluttering shearwater
Puffinus gavia
P B P P P P
Scarlett's shearwater
Puffinus spelaeus
X
Little shearwater
Puffinus assimilis
B B P
Subantarctic shearwater
Puffinus elegans
P P P B P P B P P
Common diving petrel
Pelecanoides urinatrix
B B B B B B B B
South Georgia diving petrel
Pelecanoides georgicus
B ex ex

Frigatebirds

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black-and-white, or completely black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have coloured inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Lesser frigatebird
Fregata ariel
V V V
Great frigatebird
Fregata minor
V V

Boobies and gannets

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Masked booby
Sula dactylatra
B V
Brown booby
Sula leucogaster
P P P V
Red-footed booby
Sula sula
V
Cape gannet
Morus capensis
V
Australasian gannet or tākapu
Morus serrator
B B P P P P P

Darters

Order: Suliformes   Family: Anhingidae

Anhingas or darters are frequently referred to as "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have a much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet, and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Australasian darter
Anhinga novaehollandiae
V V

Cormorants and shags

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black and white, and a few being colourful. The bill is long, thin and sharply hooked.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Little pied cormorant
(Māori: kawaupaka)
Microcarbo melanoleucos
B B B V V V V
Great cormorant
(Māori: kawau)
Phalacrocorax carbo
B B B V V V
Spotted shag
Phalacrocorax punctatus
B B
Pitt shag
Phalacrocorax featherstoni
B
Little black cormorant
Phalacrocorax sulcirostris
B B V V
Australian pied cormorant
(Māori: kāruhiruhi)
Phalacrocorax varius
B B
Bounty shag
Leucocarbo ranfurlyi
V B
New Zealand king shag
Leucocarbo carunculatus
B
Otago shag
Leucocarbo chalconotus
B
Foveaux shag
Leucocarbo stewarti
B
Chatham shag
Leucocarbo onslowi
B
Auckland shag
Leucocarbo colensoi
V B
Campbell shag
Leucocarbo campbelli
B
Macquarie shag
Leucocarbo purpurascens
V

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with distinctive pouches under their bills. Like other birds in the order Pelecaniformes, they have four webbed toes.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Australian pelican
Pelecanus conspicillatus
V V

Herons, egrets, and bitterns

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Australasian bittern
Botaurus poiciloptilus
P P P P
Black-backed bittern
Ixobrychus dubius
V
New Zealand bittern
Ixobrychus novaezelandiae
X X X
Grey heron
Ardea cinerea
V
White-necked heron
Ardea pacifica
V V V
Great egret
(Māori: kōtuku)
Ardea alba
V P B V V V
Plumed egret
Ardea intermedia plumifera
V V
White-faced heron
Egretta novaehollandiae
V B B V B V V V
Little egret
Egretta garzetta
V V V
Pacific reef heron
Egretta sacra
V B B P V V
Cattle egret
Bubulcus ibis
V P P P V V
Nankeen night heron
Nycticorax caledonicus
B V V V

Ibises and spoonbills

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

The Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Glossy ibis
Plegadis falcinellus
P P V
Australian white ibis
Threskiornis molucca
V V
Straw-necked ibis
Threskiornis spinicollis
V
Royal spoonbill
Platalea regia
V B B V
Yellow-billed spoonbill
Platalea flavipes
V

Hawks, eagles, and kites

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and includes the osprey, hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have very large powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Swamp harrier
(Māori: kāhu)
Circus approximans
P I I I I P P P
Black kite
Milvus migrans
V V
Eyles's harrier
Circus teauteensis
X X
Haast's eagle
Hieraaetus moorei
X X
White-bellied sea eagle
Haliaeetus leucogaster
V

True owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Little owl
Athene noctua
I
Morepork
(Māori: ruru)
Ninox novaeseelandiae
B B B V
Laughing owl
(Māori: whēkau)
Ninox albifacies
X X X

Barn owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Barn owl
Tyto alba
B V

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Laughing kookaburra
Dacelo novaeguineae
I V
Sacred kingfisher
(Māori: kōtare)
Todiramphus sanctus
B B B B V

Rollers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Coraciidae

Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Oriental dollarbird
Eurystomus orientalis
V V

Falcons and caracaras

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey, notably the falcons and caracaras. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Nankeen kestrel
Falco cenchroides
V V
New Zealand falcon
(Māori: kārearea)
Falco novaeseelandiae
B B P ex P B
Black falcon
Falco subniger
V

Kea and kākā

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Nestoridae

The genus Nestor is the type and only extant genus of the parrot family Nestoridae. The genus Nestor contains two extant parrot species from New Zealand and two extinct species from Norfolk Island, Australia and Chatham Island, New Zealand, respectively.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Kea
Nestor notabilis
ex B
Kākā
Nestor meridionalis
B B B
Chatham kākā
Nestor chathamensis
X

Kākāpō

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Strigopidae

The kākāpō, also known as owl parrot (Strigops habroptilus), is a species of large, flightless, nocturnal, ground-dwelling parrot of the super-family Strigopoidea, endemic to New Zealand.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Kākāpō
Strigops habroptilus
B B B

Cockatoos

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Cacatuidae

The cockatoos share many features with other parrots including the characteristic curved beak shape and a zygodactyl foot, with two forward toes and two backwards toes. They differ, however in a number of characteristics, including the often spectacular movable headcrest.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Galah
Eolophus roseicapilla
I
Sulphur-crested cockatoo
Cacatua galerita
I I

Old world parrots

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittaculidae

Characteristic features of parrots include a strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly coloured, and some are multi-coloured. In size they range from 8 cm (3.1 in) to 1 m (3.3 ft) in length. Old World parrots are found from Africa east across south and southeast Asia and Oceania to Australia and New Zealand.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Rose-ringed parakeet
Psittacula krameri
I I
Antipodes parakeet
Cyanoramphus unicolor
B
Red-crowned parakeet
(Māori: kākāriki)
Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae
B B B B B B
Reischek's parakeet
Cyanoramphus hochstetteri
B
Yellow-crowned parakeet
(Māori: kākāriki)
Cyanoramphus auriceps
B B B
Chatham parakeet
Cyanoramphus forbesi
B
Malherbe's parakeet
(Māori: kākāriki karaka)
Cyanoramphus malherbi
B
Crimson rosella
Platycercus elegans
I I
Eastern rosella
Platycercus eximius
I I V
Rainbow lorikeet
Trichoglossus moluccanus
I

New Zealand wrens

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Acanthisittidae

The New Zealand wrens are a family (Acanthisittidae) of tiny passerines endemic to New Zealand. They were represented by six known species in four or five genera, although only two species survive in two genera today. They are understood to form a distinct lineage within the passerines, but authorities differ on their assignment to the oscines or suboscines (the two suborders that between them make up the Passeriformes).

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Lyall's wren
Traversia lyalli
X X
Rifleman
(Māori: titipounamu)
Acanthisitta chloris
B B ex
Bushwren
(Māori: mātuhituhi)
Xenicus longipes
X X X
New Zealand rock wren
(Māori: pīwauwau)
Xenicus gilviventris
B
South Island stout-legged wren
Pachyplichas yaldwyni
X
North Island stout-legged wren
Pachyplichas jagmi
X
Long-billed wren
Dendroscansor decurvirostris
X

Honeyeaters

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Meliphagidae

The honeyeaters are a large and diverse family, Meliphagidae, of small to medium-sized birds. The family includes the Australian chats, myzomelas, friarbirds, wattlebirds, miners and melidectes. They are most common in Australia and New Guinea, but also found in New Zealand, the Pacific islands as far east as Samoa and Tonga, and the islands to the north and west of New Guinea known as Wallacea.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Tūī
Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae
B B B B B B
New Zealand bellbird
(Māori: korimako)
Anthornis melanura
B B B B V
Chatham bellbird
Anthornis melanocephala
X
Red wattlebird
Anthochaera carunculata
V

Scrubwrens, thornbills, and gerygones

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Acanthizidae

The Acanthizidae are small- to medium-sized birds with short rounded wings, slender bills, long legs, and a short tail.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Grey warbler
(Māori: riroriro)
Gerygone igata
B B B V
Chatham gerygone
Gerygone albofrontata
B

Cuckooshrikes and trillers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Campephagidae

The cuckooshrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some minivet species are brightly coloured.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Black-faced cuckooshrike
Coracina novaehollandiae
V V V
White-winged triller
Lalage tricolor
V

Whiteheads

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Mohouidae

Mohoua is a small genus of three bird species endemic to New Zealand. The scientific name is taken from mohua – the Māori name for the yellowhead. Their taxonomic placement has presented problems: They have typically been placed in the whistler family, Pachycephalidae, but in 2013 it was established that they are best placed in their own family, Mohouidae.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Whitehead
(Māori: pōpokotea)
Mohoua albicilla
B
Yellowhead
(Māori: mohua)
Mohoua ochrocephala
B B
Pipipi
(Māori: pīpipi)
Mohoua novaeseelandiae
B B

Old World orioles

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Oriolidae

The Old World orioles are colourful passerine birds which are not closely related to the New World orioles

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
South Island piopio
Turnagra capensis
X
North Island piopio
Turnagra tanagra
X

Woodswallows, bellmagpies, and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Artamidae

The woodswallows are soft-plumaged, somber-coloured passerine birds. They are smooth, agile flyers with moderately large, semi-triangular wings.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Masked woodswallow
Artamus personatus
V
White-browed woodswallow
Artamus superciliosus
V V
Dusky woodswallow
Artamus cyanopterus
V
Australian magpie
Gymnorhina tibicen
I I

Fantails

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Rhipiduridae

The fantails are small insectivorous birds with longish, frequently fanned, tails.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
New Zealand fantail
(Māori: pīwakawaka)
Rhipidura fuliginosa
B B B B ex
Willie wagtail
Rhipidura leucophrys
V

Monarch flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Monarchidae

The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by gleaning, hovering or flycatching.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Black-faced monarch
Monarcha melanopsis
V
Magpie-lark
Grallina cyanoleuca
V
Satin flycatcher
Myiagra cyanoleuca
V V

Crows, jays, and magpies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
New Zealand raven
Corvus antipodum
X X X
Chatham raven
Corvus moriorum
X
Rook
Corvus frugilegus
I I I I

New Zealand wattlebirds

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Callaeidae

Callaeidae (sometimes Callaeatidae) is a family of passerine birds endemic to New Zealand. It contains three genera, with five species in the family. One species, the huia, became extinct early in the 20th century, while the South Island kokako is critically endangered and may be extinct.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
North Island kōkako
Callaeas wilsoni
B
South Island kōkako
Callaeas cinereus
B? ex
North Island saddleback
Philesturnus rufusater
B
South Island saddleback
Philesturnus carunculatus
B B
Huia
Heteralocha acutirostris
X

Stitchbird

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Notiomystidae

The stitchbird or hihi (Notiomystis cincta) is a honeyeater-like bird endemic to the North Island and adjacent offshore islands of New Zealand. Its evolutionary relationships have long puzzled ornithologists, but it is now classed as the only member of its own family, the Notiomystidae.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Stitchbird
(Māori: hihi)
Notiomystis cincta
B

Australasian robins

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Petroicidae

The bird family Petroicidae includes 49 species in 19 genera. All are endemic to Australasia: New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand and numerous Pacific Islands as far east as Samoa. For want of an accurate common name, the family is often called the Australasian robins. Within the family the species are known not only as robins but as scrub-robins and flyrobins. They are, however, only distantly related to the Old World family Muscicapidae (to which other species with such names belong) and the monarch flycatchers (Monarchidae).

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
North Island robin
Petroica longipes
B
South Island robin
Petroica australis
B B
Tomtit
(Māori: miromiro)
Petroica macrocephala
B B B B B B
Black robin
Petroica traversi
B

Larks

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Eurasian skylark
Alauda arvensis
I I I

Reed warblers and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Acrocephalidae

The members of this family are usually rather large for "warblers". Most are rather plain olivaceous brown above with much yellow to beige below. They are usually found in open woodland, reedbeds, or tall grass. The family occurs mostly in southern to western Eurasia and surroundings, but it also ranges far into the Pacific, with some species in Africa.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Australian reed warbler
Acrocephalus australis
V

Grassbirds and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Locustellidae

Locustellidae are a family of small insectivorous songbirds found mainly in Eurasia, Africa, and the Australian region. They are smallish birds with tails that are usually long and pointed, and tend to be drab brownish or buffy all over.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Chatham fernbird
Poodytes rufescens
X
New Zealand fernbird
(Māori: kōtātā or mātātā)
Poodytes punctatus
B B B B

Swallows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings, and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Welcome swallow
Hirundo neoxena
B B B B B P P V
Fairy martin
Petrochelidon ariel
V V V
Tree martin
Petrochelidon nigricans
V V V V

Bulbuls

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Pycnonotidae

Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red, or orange vents, cheeks, throats, or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive-brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Red-vented bulbul
Pycnonotus cafer
I

White-eyes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Zosteropidae

The white-eyes are small birds of rather drab appearance, the plumage above being typically greenish-olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast, or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As the name suggests, many species have a white ring around each eye.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Silvereye
(Māori: tauhou)
Zosterops lateralis
B B B B B B B B B

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Common starling
Sturnus vulgaris
I I I I I I I I I V
Common myna
Acridotheres tristis
I

Thrushes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Song thrush
Turdus philomelos
I I I I I I V V V
Common blackbird
Turdus merula
I I I I I I I I V

Accentors

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Prunellidae

The accentors are a genus of birds in the family Prunellidae, which is the only bird family endemic to the Palearctic. This small group of closely related passerines are all in the genus Prunella.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Dunnock
Prunella modularis
I I I I V B B B

Old World sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds, typically small, plump, brown or grey with short tails and short powerful beaks. They are seed-eaters, but also consume small insects.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
House sparrow
Passer domesticus
I I I I V V V V

Wagtails and pipits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails and comprises the wagtails, longclaws, and pipits. These are slender ground-feeding insectivores of open country.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
New Zealand pipit
(Māori: pīhoihoi)
Anthus novaeseelandiae
V B B B B V B B

True finches

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are small to moderately large seed-eating passerine birds with a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have 12 tail feathers and nine primary flight feathers. Finches have a bouncing flight, alternating bouts of flapping with gliding on closed wings, and most sing well.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Common chaffinch
Fringilla coelebs
V I I I I I I I V
European greenfinch
Chloris chloris
V I I I I V V
Common redpoll
Acanthis flammea
I I I I I I I I I
Lesser redpoll
Acanthis cabaret
I I I I I I I I I
European goldfinch
Carduelis carduelis
V I I I I V V V V

Old World buntings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Emberizidae

The emberizids are a large family of seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns.

Species Kermadecs North I South I Stewart Chathams Snares Auckland Campbell Antipodes Bounty
Cirl bunting
Emberiza cirlus
I I
Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinella
I I I I I V V V V

See also

kids search engine
List of birds of New Zealand Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.