Find out about some of New Zealand's native birds via an alphabetical list.
Albatrosses are the world's largest seabirds. Find out about the different species and the research and action underway to tackle the threats facing these ocean wanderers.
The handsome Australasian crested grebe belongs to an ancient order of diving water birds found on every continent in the world.
The bellbird, unique to New Zealand, is easily recognised by its melodious song. Well camouflaged, the bellbird is usually heard before it is seen.
The recovery of the Chatham Islands black robin from the brink of extinction is an internationally renowned conservation success story.
Kakī, or black stilt, is a native wading bird, found only in New Zealand.
The whio/blue duck is endemic to New Zealand. As the only member of its genus, the whio has a number of unique anatomical and behavioural features.
The brown teal/pateke is a small dabbling duck endemic to New Zealand.
This black and white wader is unique to the Chatham Islands. It is an endangered species with a high risk of extinction.
The critically endangered Chatham Island pigeon or parea is restricted to the Chatham Islands. Although similar in appearance to the New Zealand pigeon, it is around 20% heavier, making it one of the world's heaviest pigeons.
Found on the Chatham Islands off mainland New Zealand, the tāiko (Pterodroma magentae) is one of the world's rarest seabirds.
The Chatham Island tūī is a subspecies of the tui found on mainland New Zealand. It both larger and with longer throat tufts than it's mainland counterpart and the song is also significantly different.
Once widespread on the Chatham Islands, the Chatham petrel was until recently restricted to Rangatira Island but active management has allowed the population to grow on other islands.
Known for its friendly ‘cheet cheet’ call and energetic flying antics, the aptly named fantail is one of the most common and widely distributed native birds on the New Zealand mainland.
The Fiordland crested penguin or tawaki, is one of the rarest of New Zealand’s mainland penguins.
The Haast tokoeka kiwi is ranked by DOC as nationally endangered with an estimated population of only 300.
The nationally endangered Hutton's shearwater/tītī is the only New Zealand seabird that breeds in a sub-alpine environment.
The kākā is a large parrot belonging to the nestorinae family, a group that includes the kea and the extinct Norfolk Island kākā.
The kākāpō (night parrot) is one of New Zealand’s unique treasures and with only 124 known surviving birds it is listed internationally as a critically endangered species.
The New Zealand kea is an endemic parrot found in the South Island's high country.
In this section you can learn general facts and information about kiwi. For many New Zealanders kiwi are a taonga (treasure).
The kōkako belongs to the endemic New Zealand wattlebirds, an ancient family of birds which includes the North and South Island saddleback and the extinct huia.
The North Island robin, also known as toutouwai, is a friendly and trusting bird and is found in both native and exotic forests.
The endangered New Zealand dotterel/tūturiwhatu is found only in this country.
With a population of around 36 individuals that includes only ten breeding pairs, the New Zealand fairy tern/tara-iti is probably New Zealand's rarest breeding bird.
Kākāriki are beautiful forest birds. There are five main species of kākāriki: yellow-crowned parakeet, orange-fronted parakeet, red-crowned parakeet, Forbes' parakeet and Antipodes Island parakeet.
New Zealand's native pigeon is the only seed disperser we have. The disappearance of the kererū would be a disaster for our native forests.
Orange-fronted parakeets, or kākāriki, are small forest-dwelling birds. Classified as ‘nationally critical’, the species has a high risk of extinction with only 100 – 200 birds in the wild.
The paradise shelduck is New Zealand’s only shelduck, a worldwide group of large, often semi-terrestrial waterfowl that have goose-like features.
In this section you'll find general information about penguins found in New Zealand.
Rowi are New Zealand’s rarest kiwi, with an estimated 300 surviving in just 10 000 hectares in South Okarito Forest, in South Westland.
The toroa or royal albatross is a graceful giant with a wing span of over three metres. Renowned ocean wanderers, they travel vast distances from their breeding grounds to feed.
The saddleback or tīeke belongs to New Zealand's unique wattlebird family, an ancient group which includes the endangered kōkako and the extinct huia.
Confined to the subantarctic Snares Islands, the Snares crested penguin nests in dense colonies under forest.
The stitchbird/hihi is one of New Zealand’s rarest birds.
Subantarctic teal include the Auckland Island teal and the distinctly different Campbell Island teal.
The flightless takahē is a colourful green and blue bird with an impressive red beak and short stout legs. The takahē are classified as an endangered species.
Tūī are unique (endemic) to New Zealand and belong to the honeyeater family, which means they feed mainly on nectar from flowers of native plants.
The weka is a large, brown flightless bird that has a famously feisty and curious personality.
The Westland petrel (tāiko) is endemic to New Zealand and breeds only on the West Coast of the South Island.
The white heron (or kōtuku) has always been rare in New Zealand and it has attained almost mythical status, revered by both Māori and pakeha for its elegant white feathers.
Unique to New Zealand, the hoiho, or yellow-eyed penguin, is thought to be the world's rarest penguin.
The mohua/yellowhead is a small, insect eating bird which lives only in the forests of New Zealand's South Island and Stewart Island.
back to top
Birds of prey - Te Ara Encyclopedia of NZ
DOC HOTline - 24 hour emergency number
Phone 0800 DOCHOTline (0800 362 468) to report:
Sick or injured wildlifeWhale or dolphin strandings
