Common Birds of New Zealand

New Zealand's national symbol — a flightless, nocturnal bird that forages by smell using nostrils at the tip of its bill; Stewart Island's nocturnal tours offer the world's most reliable sightings.

The world's heaviest, longest-lived, and only flightless parrot — fewer than 250 remain on offshore predator-free islands; wild encounters are restricted to conservation staff only.

The world's rarest penguin species — the Otago Peninsula near Dunedin provides visitor-friendly hides where breeding pairs can be watched landing and returning to nests.

The world's only alpine parrot — extraordinarily intelligent and boldly curious, Keas investigate and dismantle anything at South Island ski fields and mountain passes.

New Zealand's most beloved forest bird — the complex, gurgling song and brilliant white throat feathers make it unmistakable at flowering trees throughout the country.

The world's rarest wading bird — fewer than 100 survive, breeding exclusively in the Mackenzie Basin surrounded by electric predator fences and intensive management.

Thought extinct for 50 years until rediscovered in 1948 — the enormous blue-green rail with a massive red bill now numbers ~500 due to intensive management.

Breeds in remote Fiordland rainforest undergrowth — pairs can be seen returning to nest from the sea at Milford Sound and are sometimes encountered on Fiordland walking tracks.