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Kōrero: Introduced land birds

Distribution of cirl buntings, hedge sparrows and yellowhammers

Choose species:

  • Cirl bunting

  • Hedge sparrow

  • Yellowhammer

Click on a species name to see its New Zealand distribution.

The cirl bunting is relatively rare in New Zealand. The population of several thousand birds is mainly in open country on the east coast of the South Island.

By contrast, the hedge sparrow and yellowhammer are widespread and can be found on both islands, from sea level to subalpine scrub.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Christina Troup, Introduced land birds – Other small passerines, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/interactive/17185/distribution-of-cirl-buntings-hedge-sparrows-and-yellowhammers (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Christina Troup, i tāngia i te 1 March 2009.