Monday, December 28, 2015

Birds of New Zealand

New Zealand, long separated from ancient Gondwana, has had the chance to evolve its own unique species of birds without mammal predators. It's home to the flightless kiwi - which I heard one night but did not see -  and was home to the largest bird ever known, the moa, which unfortunately was hunted to extinction by early Maori.

Being interested in birds wherever I go, I was keen to learn about the avifauna of NZ. Below are images of local birds, both native and introduced, that I was able to photograph while traveling for around the North and South Islands. Click on a photo to enlarge. Click on the name to learn more about the particular specie.

Tui
Bellbird
Eastern Rosella
Red-billed gull
Magpie

Saddleback
Kōkako

California quail

Dotterel

Pūkeko

White-fronted tern

Stitchbird

Gannets

Fernbird

Pied shag

New Zealand pigeon

Weka

Yellowhammer

Tomtit

Chaffinch

Pied oystercatcher

South Island robin
Kea


New Zealand scaup

Yellow-eyed penguin

Royal spoonbill

Royal albatross

Blue penguin

Pied stilt

Swamp harrier

White-faced heron

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