Known for its dawn chorus, the New Zealand bush at one time pulsed with the sound of native birds. Find out what DOC, along with numerous groups and individuals, are doing to protect and restore native bird populations.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Find out about New Zealand's national bird, the flightless and largely nocturnal kiwi.
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.
Kākāriki, meaning ‘small green parrot’ in Māori, are beautiful forest birds.
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.
The saddleback or tīeke belongs to New Zealand's unique wattlebird family, an ancient group which includes the endangered kōkako and the extinct huia.
The stitchbird/hihi is one of New Zealand’s rarest birds.
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 mohua/yellowhead is a small, insect eating bird which lives only in the forests of New Zealand's South Island and Stewart Island.
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