Birds are categorised as endemic, native or introduced. The slide show gives examples of some of the different types of birds we have in New Zealand.
Alternatively, teachers see below for background information on the categories of birds we have in New Zealand.
Endemic
Birds that have evolved and occur and breed naturally only in New Zealand.
- korimako/bellbird (Anthornis melanura)
- hihi (Notiomystis cincta)
- kākāpō (Strigops habroptilus)
- kererū (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae)
- kiwi (Apteryx spp.)
- takahē (Porphyrio mantelli)
- tūī (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae)
- whio (Hymenolanimus malacorhynchos)
Native
Birds that have arrived in New Zealand by themselves and established themselves here. They are also found in other countries.
- kororā/blue penguin (Eudyptula minor)
- pīwakawaka/ fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa)
- kōtare/kingfisher (Halcyon sancta)
- ruru/morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae)
- poaka/pied stilt (Himantopus himantopus)
- pūkeko (Porphyrio porphyrio)
- tauhou/silvereye (Zosterops lateralis)
Introduced
Birds that humans have brought to New Zealand.
- blackbird Turdus merula)
- house sparrow (Passer domesticus)
- mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
- peacock (Pavo cristatus)
- pheasant (hasianus colchicus)
- starling (Sturnus vulgaris)
Related content
The Hub has an extensive range of resources featuring birds including from Native bird adaptations, Birds’ roles in ecosystems and Predation of native birds and articles on conservation of our native species and bird classification. You can also find out more about our native birds such as the kiwi, takahē, kākā, New Zealand ducks, penguins, godwits and kererū. For all of our articles and activities, browse through our birds topic.
Activity idea
Birds in my backyard is a ready-to-use cross-curricular teaching resource.
In this activity, students classify the different types of adaptations that New Zealand native birds have.
Useful links
Visit the New Zealand Birds website for specific information on each of the birds that can be found in New Zealand. This site also gives information about extinct birds.
The New Zealand Birds Online website allows you to search by bird name and gives details of species information, habitat, breeding and ecology as well as sound clips of their calls.
