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Story: Land birds – overview

North Island saddlebacks

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North Island saddlebacks

Once common, North Island and South Island saddlebacks became extinct on the mainland as they are very vulnerable to rats. They have survived only on predator-free islands. Some have since been taken to other islands where pests have been removed. New pest-free sanctuaries on the mainland allow further expansion of the population.

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Department of Conservation

Reference: 10028821

by Dick Veitch

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How to cite this page

Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Land birds – overview – Extinct, endangered and threatened species, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/9911/north-island-saddlebacks (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Kerry-Jayne Wilson, published 1 March 2009.