Highly specialised birds have unique adaptations that restrict them to habitats that meet their needs

The fantail – with its varied diet of flying insects, its treetop nests, and its acrobatic flying skills – has adapted to survive in the presence of people.

By contrast, the kākāpō is restricted to the forest. Kākāpō cannot fly, lays eggs very infrequently and has a freezing response to danger, which is ineffective against introduced predators. Kākāpō are endangered.

Takahē adaptations enable them to live in harsh alpine habitats, where they were able to avoid introduced predators for decades.

Related articles

• Endemic, native or introduced birds

• Bird adaptations and identification

• Predation of native birds

• Protecting native birds

• The takahē’s ecological niche

• Conserving native birds – introduction

Related videos

• Recently arrived birds

• The longest flight

Related images

• Native birds as pollinators

• Slow for kererū

Related activities

• Classifying bird adaptations

• Whio habitats and conservation

• Conserving native birds – unit plan

• Abiotic and biotic factors for takahē (for levels 6 and above)