Birds

Buff weka

Date: 20th October 2025

At first glance, the buff weka might seem like a curious, flightless chicken wandering through the undergrowth – but this… »


Kākāriki / Yellow-crowned parakeet

Date: 20th October 2025

Often mistaken for a flash of green in the forest canopy, the yellow-crowned parakeet is anything but ordinary. With a… »


Tarāpuka / Black-billed gull

Date: 20th October 2025

Sleek, social and surprisingly rare, the black-billed gull, or tarāpuka, is the world’s most endangered gull, found only in Aotearoa…. »


Mātātā / Fernbird

Date: 20th October 2025

Elusive, earthy-toned and full of character, the New Zealand fernbird, or mātātā, is often heard but rarely seen. These shy,… »


Kotoreke / Marsh Crake

Date: 20th October 2025

Secretive and seldom seen, the marsh crake, or koitareke, is a tiny, elusive wetland bird that slips silently through reeds… »


Kakaruai / South Island robin

Date: 20th October 2025

Curious, bold and often just a few steps away, the kakaruai or South Island robin, is one of Aotearoa’s most… »


Pīhoihoi / New Zealand pipit

Date: 20th October 2025

Quick-footed, alert and always on the move, the New Zealand pipit, or pīhoihoi,  is a small, ground-dwelling bird found in… »


Pohowera / Banded dotterel

Date: 20th October 2025

Delicate, determined and perfectly camouflaged, the banded dotterel, or pohowera, is a small native shorebird that nests in some of… »


Tōrea / South Island pied oystercatcher

Date: 20th October 2025

With their bold black-and-white plumage and bright orange bills, South Island pied oystercatchers, or tōrea, are a familiar sight along… »


Mohua / Yellowhead

Date: 20th October 2025

Bright, musical, and once common throughout the South Island, the mohua, yellowhead or bush canary, is a striking forest songbird… »


Ngutu pare / Wrybill

Date: 20th October 2025

Small, swift and uniquely adapted, the wrybill, or ngutu pare, is the only bird in the world with a bill… »


Takahē

Date: 20th October 2025

Twice thought extinct, the takahē is one of Aotearoa’s greatest conservation comeback stories. This large, flightless bird is a true… »


Kārearea / New Zealand falcon

Date: 20th October 2025

Swift, fierce and expertly adapted to Aotearoa’s diverse landscapes, the New Zealand falcon, or kārearea, is our native bird of… »


Kākā

Date: 20th October 2025

Bold, noisy and full of personality, the kākā is a charismatic native forest parrot found in pockets of Aotearoa’s wild… »


Whio / Blue duck

Date: 20th October 2025

Fast, fearless and river-loving, the whio, or blue duck, is one of Aotearoa’s most iconic and endangered waterfowl. Found only… »


Pūteketeke / Australasian crested grebe

Date: 16th October 2025

Elegant and unmistakable, the Pūteketeke, or kamana / Australasian crested grebe, is a rare freshwater bird known for its beautiful… »


Pīwauwau / Rock wren

Date: 16th October 2025

Tiny, tough and totally flightless, the pīwauwau, or rock wren, is Aotearoa’s true alpine survivor. Found only in the high-altitude… »


Tarapiroe / Black-fronted tern

Date: 16th October 2025

Graceful and fast-flying, the black-fronted tern, or tarapiroe, is a striking native bird found only in Aotearoa. These elegant, grey-and-white… »


Kea

Date: 16th October 2025

The world’s only alpine parrot, the kea is as clever as it is cheeky. Endemic to New Zealand’s South Island,… »


Kakī / Black stilt

Date: 16th October 2025

With its striking jet-black plumage and delicate build, the black stilt, or kakī, is one of the rarest wading birds… »


Matuku / Australasian bittern

Date: 15th October 2025

Secretive and seldom seen, the Australasian Bittern is one of Aotearoa’s rarest wetland birds – and a powerful indicator of… »