Hobbies And Interests
Native New Zealand Birds
One of the most prevalent types of birds native to New Zealand is the albatross. Depending on where you are in New Zealand, you can see the grey-headed albatross, the black browed albatross, the shy albatross, the light-mantled sooty albatross and the wandering albatross. Ironically, the shy albatross is one of the most common species. The wandering albatross is also common throughout much of New Zealand. The other albatrosses are found more in the coastal waters off of southern New Zealand.
All breeds of albatross are identified by a plump sitting duck shape and a long beak. They range in color from black and brown (the light-mantled sooty) to white and black (the shy mollymawk). Albatross size varies from 30 inches long (grey-headed albatross) to 45 inches long (wandering albatross).
One of the most widely seen New Zealand birds is the fantail (known in New Zealand as the piwakawaka). As their names suggest, fantails have tails that open like fans. The large fan display is in contrast to its tiny head. Known for its dazzling flying displays and "cheet cheet" sounding call, the fantail is distributed throughout most regions of New Zealand.
The New Zealand region is also home to several native (and endemic) species of penguin. Most of these penguins reside in the southernmost territories, rarely reaching the New Zealand mainland. The king penguin can be found in New Zealand's subantarctic off-coastal islands and on rare occasion on the southern mainland. King penguins stand nearly 3 feet tall and have silvery-white bellies, blue-grey backs, orange-yellow comma shapes next to their eyes and long beaks with a red line.
Kiwis and Other Endemic Birds
The most famous endemic New Zealand bird is the kiwi. These flightless birds have furry round bodies, whiskers and very long narrow beaks with a nostril on the tip.
Kiwi prevalence and region depend on the species. The North Island brown kiwi is found in various regions throughout the north island, including the Bay of Plenty. The brown kiwi has a high-pitched call that sounds a bit like a squeaky door. The tokoeka, found on Hasst, Stewart Island and Fiordland, is a rare kiwi species that looks like a cross between the North Island brown kiwi and a penguin. Other kiwi species are the endangered white rowi (only found in the Okarito Sanctuary), the great spotted kiwi and the little spotted kiwi.
New Zealand has several other endemic non-kiwi bird species as well. One of the more aesthetically interesting is the peculiar Snares crested penguin. This penguin is found on Snares Island. Standing nearly two feet tall, the Snares crested penguin is characterized by its bright yellow eye stripes and its white belly with splotchy black chest marks.
Another endemic bird is the kea parrot, one of the world's most intelligent birds. Found in the South Island's high country, this parrot is identified by its olive green body and reddish underwings.
Some of the rarer endemic New Zealand birds include the once nearly extinct black robin (small and black with a tiny black beak), the New Zealand fairy tern (a small, oval shaped bird with salt and peppered fleece-like body) and the Chatham Island tāiko (black with white underbelly and known for its "or-wik" sounding call).
Introduced Birds
Although New Zealand has a rich collection of endemic and native birds, it's also home to several species of birds that didn't originally live on New Zealand. From the plump brown quail to the tiny grey-brown little owl, New Zealand has an array of more internationally common birds to go along with its unique treasures. Other common introduced birds include the blue, green and white mallard duck, the black rook and the red-faced, yellow and black winged goldfinch.