My wife and I just got back from New Zealand, where I was able to pick up almost a hundred life birds! We stayed overnight on an island bird sanctuary near Auckland called Tiritiri Matangi…there are several critically endangered species kept on the island, and we were even able to see a Little Spotted Kiwi at night! Many New Zealanders haven’t even seen a Kiwi in the wild, so that was a special treat for us. Here are some photos of the many species we encountered during our stay on Tiritiri…
The critically endangered Takahe (pronounced TAH-KAH-HAY) was once thought to be extinct, but after a few were found 50 years ago, their numbers have grown to a couple hundred…efforts to breed them in captivity have been difficult. Tiritiri is one of the only places you can still see this species. Large, and flightless, the Takahe is probably the closest thing you can see to a living Moa…
Brown Quail: A cute, stout little bird that can be seen waddling on the ground in small groups…
Another critically endangered bird found on Tiritiri is the Brown Teal…once common in New Zealand, their numbers have plummeted due to hunting and habitat loss, and now they are fighting for survival…
A common, well-known, and respected bird in New Zealand is the Pukeko (Purple Swamphen)…They are related to the Takahe, but are smaller and more slender overall. Pukeko can be seen in most areas, and many are domesticated, often approaching people and stealing their lunches…
One of New Zealand’s most famous songsters is the Tui…
One of our favorite birds we spotted on the island was the Spotless Crake…a small rail-type bird, Crakes are very secretive in their wetland habitat, and can be very tough to spot…we sat patiently for 20 minutes to get a good look at this one…
Whiteheads are common on the island, but are threatened on the mainland…
New Zealand Robins are curious birds that will come right up to you in hopes of finding stirred-up insects where you have recently trodden…
New Zealand Bellbirds got their name from the chiming chorus of their dawn-song…
The Stitchbird, or “Hihi” is an endangered bird that is being studied on the island…they were also once common, but have fallen on hard times…
The only native species of Kingfisher in New Zealand is the Sacred Kingfisher…
Another endangered bird being protected on the island is the Kokako…their populations have been decimated by invasive mammals like stoats, and possums…many people miss seeing a Kokako on Tiritiri, but this was one of three we were able to spot!…
Common on Tiritiri, but endangered in the rest of New Zealand, the Saddleback is related to the Kokako, and has had similar troubles with non-native predators…their name obviously comes from the saddle-like coloration on their back…
Fernbird: Another threatened species…
The New Zealand Pigeon is an enormous, and coloful pigeon with an impressive wingspan…
The Variable Oystercatcher is often seen on New Zealand’s coastlines, but is also a threatened bird…
White-faced Herons are common in New Zealand…
A Little Pied Shag is one of the New Zealand versions of what we call Cormorants in America…
The New Zealand Fantail is a friendly little bird that loves attention, and will fan its tail feathers and put on a great show for you…
At night we went on a bush-walk and heard some Moreporks (Owls) calling, and we also saw a Little Spotted Kiwi…unfortunately we weren’t able to photograph the Kiwi, but it was an awesome treat nonetheless! Among the other birds we spotted on the island: Swamp Harrier, Eastern Rosella, Rifleman, Little Blue Penguin, Pied Shag, Spotted Shag, Fluttering Shearwater, Australasian Gannet, Yellowhammer, Silvereye, Grey Warbler, Red-billed Gull, Black-billed Gull, and Kelp Gull