Story: Birdwatching

Native birds of New Zealand

This 1901 poster depicts native birds of the New Zealand forest and wetlands. The colourful kea, a mountain parrot, is at the centre. Some of the birds – including tūī, bellbird, fantail and kingfisher – are still quite common. The yellowhead, kākā and fernbird are more scarce, and local knowledge may be needed to find them. Several others – including the stitchbird and kākāpō – now survive only in pest-free sanctuaries. Others – the piopio and bush wren – have become extinct since this poster was painted.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: C-066-008

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Gordon Ell, 'Birdwatching - A land of birds', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/zoomify/11929/native-birds-of-new-zealand (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Gordon Ell, published 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015