New Zealand Birds Online
An encyclopedia of all 482 New Zealand bird species, from kiwi and kākāpō to extinct moa, with expert texts, over 13,000 photos and recorded calls.
What it is
New Zealand Birds Online is an encyclopedia of New Zealand birds hosted by Te Papa, the national museum. It covers all 482 species ever recorded in the country: living, extinct, fossil, vagrant and introduced.
Why we picked it
New Zealand's birds evolved for a long time without land predators, and the result is gloriously odd: flightless parrots, kiwi, the giant extinct moa. This site does them justice. Species texts were written by more than a hundred experts, photographers contributed over 13,000 images, and many profiles include sound recordings.
Profiles read like stories rather than data sheets. The hihi, or stitchbird, for example, was rare and barely known until the 1990s because it survived on a single island; thanks to conservation work it can now be seen at several accessible sites.
Where to start
- Hit "Take me to a random bird"; it's the best way to lose ten minutes here.
- Try "Identify that bird" if you spotted something on a trip and want to name it.
- Filter by conservation status to see which species are at risk.
- Listen to the calls; plenty of these birds sound nothing like you'd expect.
- Search by name for extinct species such as the moa.
Who it's for
Birders, wildlife photographers, travelers planning a New Zealand trip, and anyone who loves unusual animals. It works well for curious kids and parents, too.
Quick answers
How many species does it cover? 482, every bird recorded in New Zealand, including extinct and fossil species.
Does it have bird calls? Yes, many species profiles include sound recordings.
Who is behind it? Te Papa together with Birds New Zealand; species texts were written by experts on each bird.
