Native birds in approximate order of abundance

1

Welcome Swallow Himantopus himantopus leucocepholas

Flitting over the dam and about the house. Nests in the lawn tractor shed.

2

Spur-winged Plover
Vanellus miles novaehollandiae

Noisy birds, usually in small groups on the paddocks. They like to chase away the hawks. Active night and day.

3

Kingfisher or Kotare
– our mascot
Halcyon sancta vagans

Another pretty bird, mainly blue with cream breast, large bill. Seen sitting on wires and posts waiting for a skink or similar prey to appear.

4

Tui
Prosthemdera novaeseelandiae

New Zealand’s famous songster, often heard in the bush, sometimes at night. When the kowhai and flax are in flower (spring/summer) they can be seen feasting on the nectar. Noisy flight.

5

Harrier Hawk
Circus approximans

The large daytime bird of prey. Silent, solitary.

6

Paradise Duck
Tadorna variegata

A noisy, honking shelduck. The female is brown with a white head, the male quite dark. Often seen in the distant paddocks.

7

Fantail
Rhipidura fulginosa

Often on the verandah and about the lodge. Friendly.

8

Pukeko
Ninox novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae

More often seen at dawn and dusk. Shrill calls through the night. Nest in the lagoon area.

9

White-faced Heron Ardea novaehollandiae

Seen on the pastures after rain.

10

Silver Eye or Tauhou Zosterops lateralis lateralis

Small ‘tweety’ birds which move about in flocks, taking insects, some nectar. Sometimes accompanied by a fantail or grey warbler.

11

Grey Warbler
Gerygone igata

Small, flitting, twittering bird. Live in the tea tree on the wetland below the dam. Warbling song ascending and descending.

12

Kereru or Wood Pigeon      Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae

Like to sit in the kowhai trees and graze the foliage. Silent, very beautiful. Noisy flight.

13

Pied Stilt
Hirundo tahitica neoxena

Chirpy, usually in pairs. Seen on the pastures after heavy rain.

14

Shining Cuckoo
Chrysococcyx  lucidus lucidus

Lays its eggs in the warbler’s nest. Heard in spring and summer. Rarely seen.

15

Pied Shag
(Phalacrocarax varius)

Sometimes seen flying through in transit between the west and east coasts.

16

Morepork, Ruru or NZ owl      Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus

Nocturnal. Calls can be heard through the night. Rarely seen during the day. If so, in darkbush.

17

North Island Fernbird
Bowdleria punctata

Rarely seen, has been heard in the wetland. Pairs communicate with each other with a high-pitched ‘chit’ sound.

Exotic birds introduced mainly from Europe and Australia

1

Kookaburra or Laughing Jackass or Great Brown Kingfisher
Dacelo novaeguineae

Its raucous laugh is heard often, especially at dawn and dusk. Sometimes seen on the wires. One of Australia’s favourites, rare in New Zealand.

2

Eastern Rosella or Parakeet
Playcercus eximius

A pretty Australian parakeet, seen about the bush and wetland. Noisy chattering and also a bell-like call.

3

Indian Myna
Acridotheus tristis

Raucous bird, moving in flocks, often with the cattle, picking the ticks off their backs.

4

European Skylark
Alauda arvensis arvensis

Flies high in the sky before dawn to greet the rising sun. Seen on the paddocks.

5

Starling
Stumus vulgaris vulgaris

Reputed to be the world’s most widespread bird.

6

Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinella caliginosa

Yellow/brownish head and shoulders.

7

Goldfinch
Carduelis carduelis britannica

Colourful with flashes of brown, white, black, red and yellow.

8

Chaffinch
Fringilla coelabs gengleri

Male mainly pink, female mainly brown.

9

Greenfinch
Carduelis chloris chloris

10

House Sparrow  Passer domesticus domesticus

11

Song Thrush
Turdus philomelos clarkei

Sings mainly at dusk.

12

Blackbird
Turdus merula merula

Sings at dawn, dusk and after/during rain.

13

Magpie
Gymnorhina tibicen

Mainly seen on the paddocks.

14

Ring-necked Pheasant
Phasianus cochicus

Heard, sometimes seen in the wetland area.

15

Wild Turkey
Meleagris gallopavo

On the pastures.

16

Mallard Duck
Anas platyrhynchos  platyrhynchos

Flying through.

Barbary or Ring Dove
Streptopelia risoria

Coo in giant macrocarpa tree.