Due to its isolation, New Zealand is rich in endemic bird species, with particular shapes and colors. This top 10 presents some of the wonders of these southern islands.
North Island brown kiwi
The kiwi ! It is a particularly emblematic bird of New Zealand, to the point of being used as a nickname for New Zealanders.
Currently, it is considered that there are five different species of kiwis. All are endemic to New Zealand. They are such special birds that they are classified on their own, in the order Apterygiformes.
The bird pictured is a North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli), the only species in the North Island.
Apart from its amazing physique, the kiwi is also the bird that lays the largest eggs in proportion to its size. The animal is approximately the size of a large domestic chicken.
To see all the diversity of birds in the world on video, it’s here:
Kea
The kea (Nestor notabilis), also endemic, is an inhabitant of the mountains of the South Island
It is always surprising to see this parrot evolve in the snow. It is a particularly intelligent and curious animal, which has an annoying tendency to test everything with its beak, in defiance of camping equipment, vehicles…
The underside of these wings is red, giving a shimmering appearance amidst its more subdued green plumage.
South Island saddleback
South Island saddleback or tīeke (Philesturnus carunculatus) lives only in the south, unlike the North Island saddleback from which it was recently separated.
It is an endemic forest bird of New Zealand. It has the distinction of having pendulous orange-red wattles at the base of black bill.
This bird feeds mainly on the ground and has suffered due to introduced predators in this country. It has become rare and mainly occurs on small islands off the main island.
Tui
Tui or Tūī (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) another endemic and emblematic species. It is widely distributed in the forests, parks and gardens of the island. Black at first sight, this bird is distinguished by numerous coloured reflections in its plumage, as well as by a kind of white feather pompom at the level of the neck.
It has a special and rich song, with almost electronic metallic stanzas at times, which it mainly sings at dawn.
South Island takahē
South Island takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri) is the largest living member of the rail family.
It is endemic to the South Island and has been introduced to a few islands near the North Island, to help this endangered species survive. It takes the place of the North Island takahē, which disappeared more than a century ago.
This bird is an essentially vegetarian species.
Yellow-eyed penguin
Yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) is an endemic penguin of New Zealand, which lives only in the south. It’s an incredible sight to see this funny bird move in a series of clumsy little leaps.
Many other penguins swim more or less regularly in New Zealand waters. Of these, the little or blue penguin is the only species to nest on the North Island. The Fiordland crested penguin is a resident of the south-western tip of the South Island and Stewart Island.
Wandering albatross
Very different from the previous ones, the Ulaan Tsutgalan waterfall flows into a deep hole in a large steppe plain in Mongolia. This formation is the consequence of a seismic and volcanic past. The waters then join the Orkhon (or Orhon) River, which is part of the watershed that feeds Lake Baikal in neighbouring Russia.
In the heart of summer, the fall has a high flow due to the melting snow in the surrounding mountains.
It is about an eight-hour drive west of Ulaanbaatar.
New Zealand pigeon
Kererū (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) or New Zealand pigeon is a massive looking and somewhat lazy bird that often forages perched on top of trees. It sports a magnificent metallic green plumage, which contrasts with the white of its belly and the underside of the wings.
Endemic to New Zealand, it is common there. In the past, it was a source of food for Maori. Anecdotally, an exoplanet was named Kererū in his honour.
Weka
Weka, also known as the Māori hen or woodhen (Gallirallus australis) is still an endemic bird of New Zealand, of the rail family.
It mainly eats invertebrates and fruits. It appreciates a plant cover provided to hide.
North Island robin
Recently distinguished from the South Island robin, the North Island robin (Petroica longipes) is an endemic bird with the size of a sparrow. It feeds mainly on invertebrates that it seeks close to the ground, mainly in the forest.
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