List of birds of New Zealand facts for kids
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.
Contents
- Kiwi
- Giant moa
- Lesser moa
- Upland moa
- Ducks, geese, and swans
- Guineafowl
- New World quail
- Megapodes
- Pheasants and allies
- Grebes
- Pigeons and doves
- Cuckoos
- Owlet-nightjars
- Swifts
- Adzebills
- Rails
- Cranes
- Stilts and avocets
- Oystercatchers
- Plovers and lapwings
- Painted-snipes
- Sandpipers and allies
- Pratincoles and coursers
- Skuas
- Gulls, terns, and skimmers
- Tropicbirds
- Penguins
- Albatrosses
- Austral storm petrels
- Northern storm petrels
- Petrels and shearwaters
- Frigatebirds
- Boobies and gannets
- Darters
- Cormorants and shags
- Pelicans
- Herons, egrets, and bitterns
- Ibises and spoonbills
- Hawks, eagles, and kites
- True owls
- Barn owls
- Kingfishers
- Rollers
- Falcons and caracaras
- Kea and kākā
- Kākāpō
- Cockatoos
- Old world parrots
- New Zealand wrens
- Honeyeaters
- Scrubwrens, thornbills, and gerygones
- Cuckooshrikes and trillers
- Whiteheads
- Old World orioles
- Woodswallows, bellmagpies, and allies
- Fantails
- Monarch flycatchers
- Crows, jays, and magpies
- New Zealand wattlebirds
- Stitchbird
- Australasian robins
- Larks
- Reed warblers and allies
- Grassbirds and allies
- Swallows
- Bulbuls
- White-eyes
- Starlings
- Thrushes
- Accentors
- Old World sparrows
- Wagtails and pipits
- True finches
- Old World buntings
- See also
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 |
-
South Island giant moa (extinct)
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 |
-
Mallard (introduced)
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 |
-
California quail (introduced)
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 |
-
Ring-necked pheasant (introduced)
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 |
-
North Island adzebill (extinct)
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
- List of birds of Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica
- Lists of birds by region
- List of endemic birds of New Zealand
- Fauna of New Zealand