Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Birds
The first Polynesian settlers found little in the way of land mammals - just two species of
bat - but forests, plains and coasts alive with birds. Largely lacking the bright plumage
found elsewhere, NZ's birds - like its endemic plants - have an understated beauty that does
not shout for attention.
Many of NZ's bird species have been lost since the arrival of humans. However, conser-
vation projects - governmental, NGO and community-run - operate from one end of the
country to the other. Smaller projects involve initiatives such as pest-trapping and habitat
restoration in urban parks and reserves. Larger projects (such as nationwide possum-control
measures) are usually managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) or local authorit-
ies, with business and volunteer groups sometimes chipping in to help. A major contributor
to the protection of birds is Forest & Bird, NZ's largest independent conservation organisa-
tion. For a selection of some of the birds you may encounter on the tracks and elsewhere,
refer to our bird-spotting guide (
Click here
)
.
