Birdlife

The kōtuku ngutupapa/royal spoonbill is classified as at risk and naturally uncommon. It is one of six spoonbill species worldwide, and the only one that breeds in Aotearoa New Zealand. This large, white waterbird was first recorded in Aotearoa New Zealand at Castlepoint in the Wairarapa in 1861. Sightings increased through the 1900s, with breeding first recorded next to the white heron colony at Ōkarito, south Westland, in 1949. It is now widespread with breeding sites on both the North and South Islands. 

Image copyright: Steven Howard

The matuku-hūrepo/Australasian bittern is classified as nationally critical. Bitterns are large, stocky birds, with streaky dark-brown and beige plumage on their throat, breast, belly and thighs, with dark brown on the neck and back. The head is dark except for pale beige around the cheek, forming either a pale eyebrow or eye-stripe.

Photo copyright: Wild Capture Image library

Kakī nui/black swans are common, with a national population of about 50,000 (2011). Black swans were deliberately reintroduced into Aotearoa New Zealand, initially from Melbourne, in the 1860s. 

Photo copyright: Steven Howard

The tētē/grey tealis a small, slim, ‘plain-faced’ native duck, considerably smaller than a mallard or grey duck. It is mostly grey-brown in colour with pale cheeks, chin and throat. The eye is bright crimson, especially in adult males, and the bill is dark grey.

Grey teals breed in Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia, Aotearoa New Zealand, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. They are widespread in Aotearoa New Zealand, with the greatest concentrations in Canterbury (particularly Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere), South Auckland, Waikato, Hawke's Bay and Otago. 

Image copyright: Steven Howard

Tataa/shovelers are specialist filter-feeding waterfowl with a large spoon-shaped or shovel-shaped bill that is almost twice as broad at its tip than at its base and which is the bird’s most conspicuous feature.

Australasian shovelers are widespread throughout the North and South Islands, and are occasionally even found on Stewart Island. Shovelers can mainly be found on large freshwater wetlands, but may also be encountered in sheltered estuaries and brackish lakes. They also make seasonal use of dune lakes, temporary wetlands and sewage ponds. 

Image copyright: Steve Attwood

The Kawau/black cormorantis classified as at risk and naturally uncommon. It is a large, mainly black shag with black-brown wings and tail, and white-cream feathering over its cheeks and throat. It is often seen individually or in small groups roosting on rocky headlands, trees, or artificial structures. It usually forages alone.

The black shag is widespread throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, although sparsely so. Black shags are found in various habitats, including coastal waters, estuaries, harbours, rivers, streams, lakes and ponds, and up to the sub-alpine zone.