List of birds of New Zealand
In this 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 list's taxonomic treatment and nomenclature mainly follows the conventions of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2019 edition. Some supplemental referencing is that of the Avibase Bird Checklists of the World as of 2019, 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.
The species and subspecies marked extinct became extinct subsequent to humans' arrival in New Zealand. About two thirds of the extinctions occurred after the arrival of Māori but before the arrival of Pākehā and the rest since Pākehā arrived.
Unless otherwise noted, all species listed below occur regularly in New Zealand as permanent residents, summer or winter visitors, or migrants. The following codes are used to denote other categories of species:
- Breeding – confirmed nesting records in New Zealand or a portion thereof.
- Introduced – a species introduced to New Zealand by the actions of humans, either directly or indirectly
- Extinct – a species that no longer exists
- Extirpated – a species no longer found in New Zealand or a portion thereof but existing elsewhere
- – 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.
- Vagrant – a species rarely occurring in New Zealand or a portion thereof.
- following taxonomic name:
Kiwi
Family: Apterygidae
Kiwi are flightless birds all native to New Zealand. Approximately the size of a domestic chicken, kiwi are by far the smallest living ratites.
Species | Kermadecs | North I | South I | Stewart | Chathams | Snares | Auckland | Campbell | Antipodes | Bounty |
Southern brown kiwi Apteryx australis* | B | B | ||||||||
Okarito brown kiwi Apteryx rowi* | B | |||||||||
North Island brown kiwi Apteryx mantelli* | B | |||||||||
Little spotted kiwi Apteryx owenii* | B | B | ||||||||
Great spotted kiwi Apteryx haastii* | B |
Moa
Order: DinornithiformesFamily: Dinornithidae
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Order: AnseriformesFamily: AnatidaeThe 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 | |||||||
Australian shelduck Tadorna tadornoides | V | V | V | V | V | V | V | V | ||
Paradise shelduck Tadorna variegata* | V | B | B | B | V | |||||
Australian wood duck Chenonetta jubata | V | V | ||||||||
Finsch's duck Chenonetta finschi* | X | X | ||||||||
Whio or blue duck Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos* | B | B | ||||||||
Australasian shoveler Spatula rhynchotis | B | B | V | V | V | V | ||||
Northern shoveler Spatula clypeata | V | V | ||||||||
Grey duck 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 Anas gracilis | B | B | V | V | V | V | V | |||
Chestnut teal Anas castanea | V | V | ||||||||
Auckland Islands teal Anas aucklandica* | B | |||||||||
Campbell Islands teal Anas nesiotis* | B | |||||||||
Brown teal 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 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: GalliformesFamily: 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: GalliformesFamily: OdontophoridaeThe 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 |
Pheasants, grouse, and allies
Order: GalliformesFamily: PhasianidaePhasianidae 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 Coturnix ypsilophora | I | |||||||||
Koreke or New Zealand quail Coturnix novaezelandiae | X | X | ||||||||
Chukar Alectoris chukar | I | |||||||||
Red-legged partridge Alectoris rufa | I | I | ||||||||
Red junglefowl Gallus gallus | I | |||||||||
Ring-necked pheasant Phasianus colchicus | I | I | ||||||||
Wild turkey Meleagris gallopavo | I | I |
Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: PodicipedidaeGrebes 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.
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: ColumbidaePigeons 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 pigeon 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 | ||||||||||
Kereru or New Zealand pigeon Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae | B | B | B | |||||||
Parea or Chatham Island pigeon Hemiphaga chathamensis | B |
Cuckoos
Order: CuculiformesFamily: CuculidaeThe 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 |
Long-tailed koel Eudynamys taitensis | P | B | B | P | P | P | ||||
Channel-billed cuckoo Scythrops novaehollandiae | V | V | ||||||||
Shining bronze-cuckoo 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: CaprimulgiformesFamily: AegothelidaeThe 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: CaprimulgiformesFamily: ApodidaeSwifts 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: GruiformesFamily: AptornithidaeThe 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, gallinules, and coots
Order: GruiformesFamily: RallidaeRallidae 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 Islands rail Lewinia muelleri | B | |||||||||
Weka Gallirallus australis | B | B | B | I | ||||||
Buff-banded rail Gallirallus philippensis | B | B | B | |||||||
Chatham Islands rail Cabalus modestus | X | |||||||||
Dieffenbach's rail Gallirallus dieffenbachii | X | |||||||||
Snipe-rail Capellirallus karamu | X | |||||||||
Hawkins's rail Diaphorapteryx hawkinsi | X | |||||||||
Black-tailed nativehen Tribonyx ventralis | V | V | ||||||||
Hodgen's 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 | |||||||||
Pukeko Porphyrio melanotus | B | B | B | B | B | V | ||||
Marsh crake Zapornia pusilla | B | B | B | B | ||||||
Spotless crake Zapornia tabuensis | B | B | B | ex |
Cranes
Order: GruiformesFamily: GruidaeCranes 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: CharadriiformesFamily: RecurvirostridaeRecurvirostridae 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 Himantopus leucocephalus | B | B | B | |||||||
Black stilt Himantopus novaezelandiae | P | B | ||||||||
Red-necked avocet Recurvirostra novaehollandiae | V | V |
Oystercatchers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: HaematopodidaeThe 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 Haematopus finschi | V | P | B | P | V | V | V | V | ||
Chatham oystercatcher Haematopus chathamensis | B | |||||||||
Variable oystercatcher Haematopus unicolor | B | B | B |
Plovers and lapwings
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: CharadriidaeThe 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 |
Black-bellied plover Pluvialis squatarola | V | V | V | V | ||||||
American golden-plover Pluvialis dominucus | 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 | |
Red-breasted dotterel 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 Elsyornis cinctus | V | |||||||||
Shore plover Thinornis novaeseelandiae | B | B | B | B | ||||||
Black-fronted dotterel Elseyornis melanops | B | B | ||||||||
Wrybill Anarhynchus frontalis | P | B |
Painted-snipes
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: RostratulidaePainted-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: CharadriiformesFamily: ScolopacidaeThe 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 | |||||||||
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 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 Islands snipe Coenocorypha pusilla | B | |||||||||
Forbes's snipe Coenocorypha chathamica | X | |||||||||
Snares Island 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 Tringa 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: CharadriiformesFamily: GlareolidaePratincoles 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 and jaegers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: StercorariidaeThey 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: CharadriiformesFamily: LaridaeLaridae 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 (karoro\\ TropicbirdsOrder: PhaethontiformesFamily: PhaethontidaeTropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their long wings have black markings, as does the head.
PenguinsOrder: SphenisciformesFamily: 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.
Albatrosses (toroa)Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: DiomedeidaeThe 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. Southern storm-petrelsOrder: ProcellariiformesFamily: OceanitidaeThe 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. Northern storm-petrelsOrder: ProcellariiformesFamily: HydrobatidaeNorthern 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.
Shearwaters and petrelsOrder: ProcellariiformesFamily: ProcellariidaeThe 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. FrigatebirdsOrder: SuliformesFamily: FregatidaeFrigatebirds 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.
Boobies and gannetsOrder: SuliformesFamily: SulidaeThe sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.
AnhingasOrder: SuliformesFamily: AnhingidaeAnhingas 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.
Cormorants and shagsOrder: SuliformesFamily: PhalacrocoracidaeThe 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.
PelicansOrder: PelecaniformesFamily: PelecanidaePelicans are large water birds with distinctive pouches under their bills. Like other birds in the order Pelecaniformes, they have four webbed toes.
Herons, egrets, and bitternsOrder: PelecaniformesFamily: ArdeidaeThe 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 suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted.
Ibises and spoonbillsOrder: PelecaniformesFamily: ThreskiornithidaeThe 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.
Hawks, eagles, and kitesOrder: AccipitriformesFamily: AccipitridaeAccipitridae 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.
Barn owlsOrder: StrigiformesFamily: TytonidaeBarn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons.
OwlsOrder: StrigiformesFamily: StrigidaeTypical 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.
KingfishersOrder: CoraciiformesFamily: AlcedinidaeKingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails.
RollersOrder: CoraciiformesFamily: CoraciidaeRollers 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.
Falcons and caracarasOrder: FalconiformesFamily: FalconidaeFalconidae 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.
New Zealand parrotsOrder: PsittaciformesFamily: StrigopidaeThe New Zealand parrot superfamily, Strigopoidea, consists of at least three genera of parrots – Nestor, Strigops, the fossil Nelepsittacus, and probably the fossil Heracles. The genus Nestor consists of the kea, kaka, Norfolk Island kaka and Chatham Island kaka, while the genus Strigops contains the iconic kakapo. All extant species are endemic to New Zealand. The species of the genus Nelepsittacus were endemics of the main islands, while the two extinct species of the genus Nestor were found at the nearby oceanic islands such as Chatham Island of New Zealand, and Norfolk Island and adjacent Phillip Island.
CockatoosOrder: PsittaciformesFamily: CacatuidaeThe 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.
Old world parrotsOrder: PsittaciformesFamily: PsittaculidaeCharacteristic 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 to in length. Old World parrots are found from Africa east across south and southeast Asia and Oceania to Australia and New Zealand.
New Zealand wrensOrder: PasseriformesFamily: AcanthisittidaeThe New Zealand wrens are a family 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.
HoneyeatersOrder: PasseriformesFamily: MeliphagidaeThe 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.
Thornbills and alliesOrder: PasseriformesFamily: AcanthizidaeThe Acanthizidae are small- to medium-sized birds with short rounded wings, slender bills, long legs, and a short tail. The golden-bellied gerygone is the only member of the family found in mainland Asia.
CuckooshrikesOrder: PasseriformesFamily: CampephagidaeThe cuckooshrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some minivet species are brightly coloured.
WhiteheadsOrder: PasseriformesFamily: MohouidaeMohoua 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.
Old World oriolesOrder: PasseriformesFamily: OriolidaeThe Old World orioles are colourful passerine birds which are not closely related to the New World orioles
Woodswallows, bellmagpies, and alliesOrder: PasseriformesFamily: ArtamidaeThe woodswallows are soft-plumaged, somber-coloured passerine birds. They are smooth, agile flyers with moderately large, semi-triangular wings.
FantailsOrder: PasseriformesFamily: RhipiduridaeThe fantails are small insectivorous birds with longish, frequently fanned, tails.
Monarch flycatchersOrder: PasseriformesFamily: MonarchidaeThe monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by gleaning, hovering or flycatching.
Crows, jays, and magpiesOrder: PasseriformesFamily: CorvidaeThe 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.
WattlebirdsOrder: PasseriformesFamily: CallaeidaeCallaeidae 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.
StitchbirdOrder: PasseriformesFamily: NotiomystidaeThe stitchbird or hihi 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.
Australasian robinsOrder: PasseriformesFamily: PetroicidaeThe 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 and the monarch flycatchers.
LarksOrder: PasseriformesFamily: AlaudidaeLarks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.
Reed warblers and alliesOrder: PasseriformesFamily: AcrocephalidaeThe 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.
Grassbirds and alliesOrder: PasseriformesFamily: LocustellidaeLocustellidae 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.
SwallowsOrder: PasseriformesFamily: HirundinidaeThe 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.
BulbulsOrder: PasseriformesFamily: PycnonotidaeBulbuls 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.
White-eyes, yuhinas, and alliesOrder: PasseriformesFamily: ZosteropidaeThe 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.
StarlingsOrder: PasseriformesFamily: SturnidaeStarlings 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.
Thrushes and alliesOrder: PasseriformesFamily: TurdidaeThe 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.
AccentorsOrder: PasseriformesFamily: PrunellidaeThe 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.
Old World sparrowsOrder: PasseriformesFamily: PasseridaeSparrows 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.
Wagtails and pipitsOrder: PasseriformesFamily: MotacillidaeMotacillidae 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.
Finches, euphonias, and alliesOrder: PasseriformesFamily: FringillidaeFinches 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.
Old World buntingsOrder: PasseriformesFamily: EmberizidaeThe emberizids are a large family of seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns.
|