New Zealand
November 2010 - Bird/Species Trip List
Peg Abbott, with local guides and ten participants

Checklist order and taxonomy is that of  Kerry Jayne Wilson,  2006 Checklist of New Zealand Birds, and where discrepancy in italics is listed scientific name, Ornithological Society New Zealand 2003, New Zealand Recognized Bird Names. Groups with major discussion of taxonomy are also noted such as the Wandering Albatross complex and the Shy Albatross comples.  Where there are species vs. subspecies designations, where possible we have note subspecies. We also note additional names at times in parenthesis to help those working on their lists.

(E) = Endemic
(I) = Introduced 

Birds:

(E) Stewart Island Brown Kiwi (Apteryx australis lawryi) - seen on a magical night trip to Ocean Beach, on Stewart Island with Philip and Greg as local guides. We took a 35 minute boat ride at dusk, then walked about 500 meters in the dark across a narrow neck of the island, hearing the surf before we came out of the forest. Almost immediately we spotted one kiwi, and watched with fascination as it fed on amphipods, surreal in the moonlight!  We then saw a second bird, and heard a male calling as we returned on the trail.
Australasian (Southern) Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus australis) - Road to Arthur’s Pass, Lake Pearson. First seen by those who went for a dawn canoe ride - a wonderful way to see a rare bird.  Several pair, and a lone bird that was calling to its mate in the willows, likely commencing nesting. We returned with the group and got scope views of two individuals.  Later in the trip we saw them by the scenic Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo that we stopped at on the way to Mount Cook, below the dam. Also on Lake Wakatipu at Queenstown.
(E) New Zealand Dabchick (Poliocephalus rufopectus) - coastal area near the Government Gardens in Rotorua, and again at close range off the dock, at the inland lake we visited above Rotorua, Lake Tarawera.
Australasian Little Grebe (Podiceps novaehollandiae) - St. Anne’s Lagoon, Wildlife Reserve near Cheviot
Southern Royal Albatross (Diomedea epomophora) - Kaikoura, a lone individual
Wandering Albatross (taxonomy differs by source)
Antipodes Island (Wandering) Albatross (Diomedea antipodes) - beautiful pale bird at close range, Kaikoura
Gibson’s (Wandering) Albatross (Diomedea gibsoni) - At least five of these magnificent birds, feeding and flying at close range Kaikoura
(New Zealand) Black-browed Albatross (Thalassarche melanophrys) - Seen near a fishing boat on a windy day from Nugget Point lighthouse on the south coast, South Island.  Likely var. impavida at this location
Shy Albatross (taxonomy differs by source)
(New Zealand) White-capped Albatross - (Thalassarche steadi or Thalassarche cauta steadi) one individual seen almost at the end of our time near the deep water canyon off Kaikoura. We then saw several individuals on ferry rides across Foveaux Strait to Stewart Island both directions, close enough for photos.
Salvin’s Albatross (Thalassarche salvini or Thalassarche cauta salvini) - several at close range, feeding and flying, Kaikoura
Flesh-footed Shearwater (Puffinis carneipes) - one individual that we captured as a secure i.d. with our digital cameras! With all the swirling about for chum by other dark shearwaters it was hard to check them all amid the fast and furious action.
(E) Buller’s Shearwater (Puffinis bulleri) - several seen on the ferry to Tiritiri Matangi Island
Sooty Shearwater (Puffinis griseous) - seen from the Nugget Point light, then at other locations from the South Coast and Stewart Island, on the ferry
(E) Fluttering Shearwater (Puffinis gavia) - one individual seen at a distance from the boat, made one swing towards us in the same region that drew the White-capped Albatross.
(E) Hutton’s Shearwater (Puffinis huttoni) - hundreds and hundreds (500+) just off the coast south of Kaikoura, seen first from land as a massive feeding flock and then from our boat cruise
(E) Black Petrel (Puffinis parkinsoni) - one individual seen coming and going from Tiritiri Matangi Island
Northern (Common) Diving Petrel (Pelecanoides urinatrix urinatrix) - a couple dozen seen on the return ferry ride from Stewart Island, flying fast and low to the water, keeping time with our boat. Close enough for photos, great to see!
(E) Westland Petrel (Puffinis westlandica) - beautiful looks at several birds, hanging around our boat off Kaikoura
White-chinned Petrel (Puffinis aequinoctialis) - a good study in contrast to the more numerous Westland Petrels seen from our boat in Kaikoura
Cape Pigeon (Daption capense) - a pelagic trip favorite for many, over sixty of these beautiful, cheeky and agile petrels. We had one lone individual on our return ferry trip from Stewart Island, land in the water close to our wake
Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus) - at least one, photographed for positive I.d. off Kaikouri, likely others among the more numerous northerns.  We had one Giant Petrel on the ferry over to Stewart Island, likely this one but we left as Giant Petrel, sp.
Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli) - bold, often displaying and squabbling over access to food behind our boat off Kaikoura
Black-winged Petrel (Pterodroma nigripennis) - one individual on return trip from Tiritiri, farily close to the island
(E) Yellow-eyed Penguin (Megadyptes antipodes) - seen coming out of the surf on a beach near Oamaru in the late afternoon, walking past a large male Hooker’s Sea Lion basking on the sand. We found several individuals standing on the cliff near their nests, and one pair greeting, then another coming ashore. We were thrilled to find this rare penguin on our own. We then saw activity at a nesting area in a fabulous conservation area on a private farm on the Otago Peninsula, where we stayed hidden in above ground shade-cloth covered tunnels while the penguins came and went, two even went for a swim in a small fresh water pond, magical!
(Little) Blue Penguin (Eudyptula minor) - first seen in their nest boxes at Oamaru, sort of a Hilton for wild penguins where they roam about town and these reinforced burrows so no harm is done walking around. Penguins have transformed the economy of Oamaru and its fun to see both humans and penguins thriving. We then saw them in the water in the bay at Stewart Island, at Ulva Island, and in Doubtful Sound.
(E) Fiordland Crested Penguin (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus) - we had great looks at these stocky penguins with their thick beaks and thick feet, long legs, in the water and on kelp-covered rocks of Doubtful Sound (Shelter Islands)
Australasian (Australian) Gannet (Morus serrator) - amazing views of hundreds of nesting pair west of Auckland at a mainland sea cliff colony at Muriwai Beach. We also saw them feeding coming and going to Tiritiri Matangi Island, and at a rock promontory off the coast of Goose Bay south of Kaikoura. Maggie spotted one lone bird off Nugget Point lighthouse.
Black Shag (Great Cormorant) (Phalacrocorax carbo novaehollandiae) - One of the more regular sightings we had for cormorant species, at a variety of locations on both islands
Pied Shag (Phalacrocorax varius) - seen well at marine locations, in quite a good number at Doubtful Sound
Little Black Shag (Phalacrocorax sulcirostrist) - North Island only, several locations in good number at Lake Rotorua.
(E) Little Shag (Little Pied Cormorant) (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos brevirostris) - not as “little’ as the name implies, we found several, including a nesting group off the point near the Government Gardens in Rotorua. We had them on the sand flats of Kaikoura town ahead of our cruise.
(E) Stewart Island Shag - South Coast and Stewart Island
(E) Spotted Shag (Stictocarbo punctatus punctatus) - beautiful markings characterize this cormorant, we first saw them on the pier at Oamaru, then at close range at Nugget Point and the Albatross colony on Otago Peninsula
White-faced Heron (Ardea novaehollandiae) - a beautiful heron, seen on many days of our journey
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) - Jean saw this bird from the bus, just at an area our birding site guide suggested they might be found. A familiar species - bingo Jean!
Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia) - seen on the North Island at Miranda and on the South Island at several locations, including nesting colonies mixed with shags on sea stacks off the coast at Nugget Point.
Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) - very common on both islands, in some areas we saw dozens at a time
(I) Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - somehow it was weird to hear this sound in such the WRONG place. They are getting to be a pest here. We saw them on the South Island, first in the high lakes, then in a variety of settings
(I) Feral (Graylag) Goose (Anser anser) - North Island near Government Gardens
(I) Cape Barren Goose (Cereopsis novaehollandiae) - St. Anne’s Lagoon, Wildlife Reserve near Cheviot
(E) Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata) - widespread and common.  Seeing chicks with parents at Sinclair Wetlands was fun.  Beautiful light on a pair as we were canoeing from Wilderness Lodge, and their wild sounds in flight are memorable
(I) Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) - several wetland areas, both islands
Grey Duck (Anas supercilious) - the most common duck after Paradise Shelduck, both islands
Grey Teal (Anas gracilis) - uncommon, best seen at St. Anne’s Lagoon,Wildlife Reserve near Cheviot
(E) Brown Teal (Anas chlorotis) - seen only on Tiritiri Matangi Island
(E) New Zealand Shoveler (Anas rhynchotis) - St. Anne’s Lagoon, Wildlife Reserve near Cheviot, coastal lagoon near Oamaru and at Sinclair Wetlands.
(E) New Zealand Scaup (Aythya novaeseelandiae) - seen throughout the journey in suitable lake and wetland habitat, including Doubtful Sound
Australasian Harrier (Circus approximans) - seen commonly in the agricultural areas and sheep pastures, seen on most days of the journey, one or two per hour
(E) New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) - seen on the farm at Arthur’s Pass Lodge, we were alerted by its loud calls near a set of cliffs that edged a small river canyon - a likely nest spot. Another was seen along the Kea Pt. Trail in the Mt. Cook N.P.
(I) California Quail (Calllipepla californica) - seen along the roadside in the vicinity of Waiotapu Thermal Reserve near Rotorua, and then on our final day going up through open lands en route to the Routeburn Track
(I) Brown Quail (Synoicus ypsilophorus) - Tiritiri Matangi Island
(I) Tufted (Helmeted) Guineafowl (Numida meleagris) - seen by members of the group that arrived a day early near Rotorua Airport
(E) Weka
(E) Western Weka (Gallirallus australis australis) - Arthur’s Pass, great looks though it has lost part of its beak, it poked and probed about pretty efficiently
(E) Stewart Island Weka (Gallirallus australis scotti) - common on Ulva island, we even saw one with two small gray fuzzy chicks
Pukeko (Purple Swamphen) (Porphyrio porphyrio melanotos) - seen on most days of our journey, common enough to be on lawns, road right-aways and open grassy areas throughout both islands
(E) South Island Takahe (Porphyrio mantelli hochstetteri) - we did not see this bird in the wild on Tiritiri Matangi as our visit was timed with nesting but we got acquainted with the rock star of this restoration project, “Greg,” who strutted about the tea garden. It turns out he’s been replaced as a breeder by a younger bird, and he’s bent on contact with humans. Every time they take him to a far part of the island he finds his way back to the hubbub of the tea garden
Australian Coot (Fulica atra australis) - lakes of Rotorua, Arthur’s Pass, St. Anne’s Lagoon and others
(E or e) South Island Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus finschi or Haematopus ostralegus finschi) - Seen on all days we were near the coast, then seen in pastures near Wilderness Lodge going up to Arthur’s Pass, an attentive pair with a chick
(E) Variable Oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor) - Miranda and the beach at the Gannet colony, and Kaikoura, and numerous places on the South Coast
Australasian Pied Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus or Himantopus himantopus leucocephalus) - first seen on the walk through the thermal areas of Rotorua, then seen in large number at Miranda. Also seen at Twizel and Queenstown.
(E) Black Stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae) - we were thrilled to find a pair of this very rare bird (less than 100 in the wild) in a stream as we made our way to Mt. Cook, at a stop Scotty made for a phone call Peg spotted a black bird, sorted through and wow! Luckily Toby wanted to find a Masked Lapwing or we might not have paid attention!
(E) (Northern) New Zealand Dotterel (Charadrius obscurus aquilonius) - two, one of them in breeding plumage, among the Wrybill’s seen on a mound in the estuary at Miranda
(E) Banded Dotterel (Charadrius bisects bisects) - seen in the rocky river bottom by our hikers on the full day at Wilderness Lodge, and then another seen from the blind at the Black Stilt Recovery area, feeding in the fields outside the pens
(E) Wrybill - a group of several dozen seen at Miranda. Jerry saw another pair fly by at Wilderness Lodge, where they breed on the open gravel river bottoms
Spur-winged Plover (Masked Lapwing) (Vanellus miles novaehollandiae) - common in pastures and agricultural areas, some with chicks seen near Wilderness Lodge
Turnstone (Ruddy Turnstone) (Arenaria interpres) - Miranda
Lesser (Red) Knot (Calidris canutus canutus) - Fair number among the godwits at Miranda
Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea) - one individual at Miranda
Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata) - one individual at Miranda
Red-necked Stint - (Calidris ruficollis) - two individuals at Miranda
(Eastern) Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica baueri) - estimated flock at this point was 5000-7000 on the beaches of Miranda - a phenomenal experience to watch them, esp. when they’d take to the sky if alarmed
Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) - one individual mixed in, seen in flight, at Miranda
Arctic Skua (Parasitic Jaeger) (Stercorarius parasiticus) -  Jerry spotted this agile predator working through the terns and godwits at Miranda. Its presence was the cause for some spectacular flight show by the godwit flocks
Southern Black-backed Gull (Larus dominicanus) - common, seen every day and breeding on braided rivers of the high country as well as on rocks offshore near Kaikoura
(E) Red-billed Gull (Larus novaehollandiae scopulinus) - lovely small gull with snazzy ‘trim’. Very common and bold around people, seen most days, very common. Nesting birds at Otago Peninsula and Nugget Point
(E) Black-billed Gull (Larus bulleri) - much less common than Red-billed but we got good looks on many of our days
(E) Black-fronted Tern (Sterna altostrata) - watching these graceful terns hunt in jade and turquoise colored streams of the high country was a thrill. One pair appeared to be courting, perhaps for a second nest if their first was destroyed by flooding or stoats. Also seen on gravel beds of a large river our last day out of Queenstown
Caspian Tern (Sterna caspia) - Peg found two of these large, bold-billed terns on the edge of the godwit flocks at Miranda
White-fronted Tern (Sterna striata) - common in coastal areas of both islands and Stewart and Ulva Island
(E) New Zealand Pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) - first seen at the Kiwi Encounter our first afternoon, then on many days of the journey. Best looks were on the walk with Stanley when we went to the mature Kauri forest,  at Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, and on Tiritiri Matangi Island. Seen on South Island several locations, including thick forest of Routeburn Track and on Stewart Island.
Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) - common in villages and cities, and on offshore rocks near Kaikoura and other seabird colonies of South Coast, South Island
(I) Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) - Kauri forest walk near the gannet colony outside of Auckland at Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.
Kaka (E)
(E) North Island Kaka (Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis) - great views at the ecological island we visited inland at Maungatautari.
(E) South Island Kaka (Nestor meridionalis meridionalis) - wonderful and bold at Stewart Island, seen also in forests and high on the ridges of Routeburn Track
(E) Kea (Nestor notabilis) - we first met this outrageous, alpine parrot at Porter’s Pass, then Arthur’s Pass, then Mt. Cook. One individual seen at bus stop at Wilmot Pass, begging
Eastern Rosella (Platycercus eximius) - seen on two days of our journey, in forest areas of the North Island, at Maungatautari Ecological Island and at Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.
(E) Red-crowned Parakeet (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae) - Tiritiri Matangi Island, great views on Ulva Island
(E) Yellow-crowned Parakeet (Cyanoramphus auriceps) – Wilderness Lodge, great views on Ulva Island
(E, breeding) Shining Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx luchidus) - seen on two days in the Rotorua area at Government Gardens.
(E, breeding) Long-tailed Cuckoo (Eudynamys taitensis) - HO, early morning walk at Arthur’s Pass, HO Sylvan Lake Trail of Mt Aspiring National Park near Routeburn Track
(E) Morepork - HO both nights at Arthur’s Pass Wilderness Lodge,  we thought we’d have more chances to find this bird so we left it for another night - we had no other encounters alas…
(Sacred) New Zealand Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus vagans) - seen on three days of our North Island stay
(E) Rifleman
(E) North Island Rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris granti) - we were incredibly luck to find a nest, with breeding adults attending it on Tiritiri Matangi Island
(E) South Island Rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris chloris) - seen at Mt. Cook by some of the group, heard on Ulva Island and then wonderfully common and vocal in mature forests of the Routeburn and Sylvan Lake trails of Mt. Aspiring National Park
(E) Grey Warbler (Gerygone igata) - one of the most widespread and common of the small forest birds, seen or heard most days. Lovely fluid call
(E) Bellbird (Anthornis melanura melanura) - first seen well on Tiritiri Matangi, we’d like to all bottle upits startling, lovely call. Seen at close range many of our days when in forest habitat, inquisitive
(E) Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae) - first seen feeding on nectar at Kiwi Encounter in the parking lot. Seen quite commonly on our days on the North Island, highly vocal.  Also seen on Ulva Island.
(E) Stitchbird (Notiomystis cincta) - ecological island at Maungatautari, Tiritiri Matangi island
(E) New Zealand Tomtit
(E) North Island Tomtit (Petroica macrocephala toitoi) – Maungatautari ecological island and then at Kauri forest walk at Waitakere Ranges Regional Park.
(E) South Island Tomtit (Petroica macrocephala macrocephala) - Wilderness Lodge Arthur’s Pass walk. Peel Forest, Ulva Island, and Routeburn Track.
(E) New Zealand Robin
(E) North Island Robin (Petroica longipes) - great looks at the Kauri forest walk, also seen on Tiritiri Matangi
(E) South Island Robin (Petroica australis australis) - a common bird for the group hiking to the Sylvan Lake on our final day, great to add another species!
(E) Stewart Island Robin (Petroica australis rakiura) – seen on Ulva Island.
(E) Whitehead (Mohoua albicilla) - pairs and small flocks, Tiritiri Matangi Island
(E) Yellowhead (Mohoua ochrocephala) - two pair seen on Ulva and at least three pair at the beginning of Routeburn Track. When seen, they were quite tame and we had as much time with them as we wished. Both times they were in mixed flock with Brown Creepers
(E) Brown Creeper (Mohoua novaeseelandiae) - fairly common, busy little flocks at Wilderness Lodge, several smaller woodland patches of South Island, common on Ulva and on Routeburn Track walk
(E) Fantail
(E) North Island Fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa placabilis) – fairly common around Rotorua, at Maungatautari Ecological Island, Waitakere Ranges Regional Park and Tiritiri Matangi Island.
(E) South Island Fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa fuliginosa) – seen at Arthur’s Pass, Sinclair Wetlands and Queenstown.
(I) Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) - common in pastures and agricultural areas
(I) Rook (Corvus frugilegus) - two individuals seen in fields approaching Geraldine
(E) North Island Kokako (Callaeas Wilson) - seen by Judy and heard by several of us, as we returned from the tea house at Tiritiri where we lingered just a bit too long!
(E) Saddleback
(E) North Island Saddleback (Philesturnus rufusater) - stunning bird with great personality, seen well (and heard) on Tiritiri Matangi Island
(E) South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) – seen well on Ulva Island.
(I) Skylark (Alauda arvensis) - seen in big number at Miranda, singing and displaying as we walked to the godwit beach. Seen also in open country of the highlands, near Invercargill and at Queenstown.
(E) New Zealand Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae) - first seen on our walk at the thermal areas of Rotorua, then seen near gravel river bottoms near Wilderness Lodge and at Twizel.
(I) House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) - everywhere!
(I) Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) - very common, great songster, present in cities and in woods, even wilderness trails, a thoroughly integrated songbird throughout New Zealand
(I) Greenfinch (Carduelis cloris) - Rotorua and many areas with cultivated hedges and trees, good looks at our racetrack stop at Oamaru and on Stewart Island around the hotel, several of our coffee stops in gardens
(I) Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) - ecological island at Maungatautari and in gardens of the cities
(I) Redpoll (Carduelis flammea) - first seen near the lake we canoed on at Wilderness Lodge, then on several forest walks, Peel Forest at the forest edge and at Queenstown.
(I) Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella) - fencerow of fields near the Maungatautari Ecological Island, and several other spots as we traveled on the South Island. Seen very well at Sinclair wetlands. Fairly common
(I) Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirius) - Peg had a male coming into breeding plumage at the stop at Lake Tekapo and the chapel there, then a quick glimpse at two likely birds at the Oamaru racetrack course we walked trying to find them on a travel day
Welcome Swallow (Hirundo tahitica) - quite common in open habitats
Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis) - lovely songbird we encounted at several wooded areas, best views at Peel Forest, then good views at places we looked for Fernbirds, various gardens, towns and trailheads
(I) Hedge Sparrow (Dunnock)  (Prunella modularis) - first seen as a group of them in shrubs on Porter’s Pass, then at various locations of South Island. Seen well on the trail to Nugget Point, at the first (futile) Fernbird stop by the river near Manapouri.
(I) Blackbird (Turdus merula) - common in towns, cities and woodlands throughout, main song heard in the early mornings
(I) Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos) - less common than Blackbird, but seen in a number of locations. Memorable was one peering in at us as we dined at Wilderness Lodge, and memorable were their Mockingbird like calls several mornings, fun to hear what they would imitate, especially up at Mt. Cook
(E) Fernbird (Bowdleria punctata punctata) - a nemesis bird for several of the group, but on our list, thanks to Judy, Maggie and Lynn who caught a glimpse on the stop we made near Invercargill.  Thanks to our hosts that day we sorted out the call and heard several dueting
(I) Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) - all too common…
(I) Myna (Acridotheres tristis) - very common on the North Island

Other animals:
European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuiculus)
Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus)
Red Deer (in pastures)
New Zealand Fur Seal (Arctocephalus forsteri) – Kaikoura, Nugget Point, Stewart Island
Hooker’s Sea Lion (Phocarctos hookeri) – Nugget Point
Dusky Dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obscurus) - Kaikoura

 

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