The Wild, Wonderful & Weird Birds of New Zealand

Richelle Szypulski

With its lush, emerald forests and towering peaks, waterfall-laden fjords and white-sand beaches, New Zealand is undoubtedly an island paradise. And for 60 million years, birds ruled it all. The relatively late arrival of humans and lack of ground mammals allowed native creatures to thrive in isolation, and if there were to be an award for the most evolutionary liberties, it would likely go to the birds. Of the more than 200 bird species that presently breed in New Zealand, nearly half are endemic—like the iconic kiwi—and another third are native, though they also breed elsewhere. Get Inspired By Photos, Videos, Webinars, Stories, And Exclusive Offers. Sign Up

Many of the most unique populations are endangered, but enduring as local conservation efforts work to keep these special species alive and thriving for centuries to come. Read on to discover some of New Zealand’s most delightful feathered fauna including one of the world’s largest flying birds, smallest penguins, and a flightless owl-parrot.

Kiwi

The beloved namesake of New Zealanders actually behave more like an honorary mammal than a bird. All five endemic species are flightless and similar in appearance with strong legs, hair-like feathers, whiskers, and long curved beaks. Because they’re nocturnal, meeting one in the wild is a rare and coveted experience, though some day foraging has been observed on Stewart Island and certain locations in Fiordland. At night, listen for the telltale sniffing sounds as they probe the ground for a meal of worms and insects.

Kākāpō

The flightless, nocturnal kākāpō is an incredibly eccentric parrot, with its owl-like face and lek-mating behavior (males showing off in groups). They’re great hikers and climbers and can get quite large, weighing up to five pounds. Once widespread on the mainland, there are now only around 200 kākāpō remaining according to New Zealand’s Department of Conservation, but a large population has been transported to predator-free offshore islands in hopes of saving this treasured endemic species.

Northern Royal Albatross (Toroa)

These friendly faced, flying giants are the epitome of a seabird. Buoyed by their 10-foot wingspans, they can spend years soaring over open ocean, only returning to land to nest. At Taiaroa Head, the tip of the Otago Peninsula in Dunedin, windy conditions nearby lure the world’s only mainland breeding colony of royal albatross. Here, one can get close enough to comprehend the awe-inspiring enormity of these birds with a stunning backdrop of verdant hills and beautiful blue waters.

Penguins of the Mainland

A whopping 13 of the 18 penguin species on record can be found in New Zealand, and the South Island coast harbors three particularly exciting ones including the endemic yellow-eyed penguin (hoiho), which breeds at Pilots Beach on the Otago Peninsula. Distinguished by a band of pale yellow feathers around the eyes and neck, they’re often called the rarest penguin in the world. Lindblad naturalist Mike Greenfelder recalls they can be “quite easily frightened and so a close approach is only possible by walking in a series of trenches, cleverly dug into hillside.” These shores also provide nesting grounds for the adorable little penguin (kororā). Blue-gray in color and standing at just 10 inches tall, these tiny waddlers are endemic both here and in Australia. They are nocturnal on land, but are active hunters and commonly spotted off the mainland coasts. Another southwestern coastal breeder, the endemic Fiordland (tawaki) is the only crested penguin with little white stripes on their cheeks, often seen in Milford Sound and on Stewart Island.

Penguins of the Subantarctic Islands

A UNESCO World Heritage site, New Zealand’s pristine subantarctic Islands provide vital breeding grounds for more than 40 species of seabirds, including a diversity of penguins. On the northernmost Snares Islands, the Snares crested penguin has established more than 100 colonies. The pale pink skin at the base of their chunky red bills sets them apart from similarly dressed species like the eastern rockhopper penguin, which breeds at Campbell, Auckland, and Antipodes Islands. True to their name, these small, tufted birds pack some impressive hops to help them navigate the rocky shorelines where they nest. But perhaps the most exciting encounter awaits in colonies of the commanding and curious king penguin, with their sleek black and white plumage and gold and peach head accents making a striking contrast to the fuzzy, brown juveniles.

Australasian Gannets (Tākapu)

Cape Kidnappers, just outside of Napier, is home to the biggest and most accessible gannet colony in the world. Since the 1870s, these elegant seabirds—up to 20,000 of them!—have returned annually to breed. Among the bustling expanse of vibrant black, white, and yellow plumage, onlookers can witness bill-fencing courtship duets, bonded pairs sweetly preening, and come January, downy, newborn chicks. Greenfelder describes gannets, which are also frequently spotted at sea, as “tiny rocket ships.” They hover high above the water to scan for fish and then tuck their wings for a spectacular plunge.

Takahē

The endemic South Island takahē is the largest living rail on earth and a true survivor. After presumed extinction, this stocky, flightless gallinule was miraculously rediscovered in the Murchison Mountains in 1948. Now, their numbers are estimated at just over 400; their populations are continuing to grow both at sanctuaries and in the wild thanks to a specialized recovery program. They do bear a resemblance to pūkekos, which can fly and are far more common, but takahē are larger and more saturated in color with iridescent blue and green plumage.

The Wonderfully Weird Birds of New Zealand

Richelle Szypulski

Kiwi

Kākāpō

Northern Royal Albatross (Toroa)

Penguins of the Mainland

Penguins of the Subantarctic Islands

Australasian Gannets (Tākapu)

Takahē

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The Wonderfully Weird Birds of New Zealand

Richelle Szypulski

Kiwi

Kākāpō

Northern Royal Albatross (Toroa)

Penguins of the Mainland

Penguins of the Subantarctic Islands

Australasian Gannets (Tākapu)

Takahē

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