bird-watching-in-new-zealand

Bird watching in New Zealand – where to find 30 weird and wonderful birds

Last updated on May 17th, 2026 at 05:48 am

New Zealand is a bird watching paradise. It has an incredible array of unusual birds which it is well known for – mostly the famous flightless birds like the kiwi and kakapo, and the huge mountain parrot – the kea! It really is a must-visit destination for both novice and experienced bird enthusiasts.

Read on to find out where to find and see 30 of New Zealand’s most vibrant and unusual birds. Some are easy to find and others are much harder, but my aim is to give you at least one place you can see each bird – preferably in the wild!

I say preferably in the wild, as a number of birds are endangered due to the introduction of pests that they were not designed to cope with – being flightless or nesting where these pests like possums, rats, stoats, deer and mice eat. However, NZ is continually working to save these amazing birds and clear the country of pests.

First a few important links to use when you plan your trip. They are affiliate links, but I use them all for my travels, and if you do too it will help me keep producing this content – and at no extra cost to you. Cheers!

Plan for your trip

Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!

Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. TBH I usually use EKTA – any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!

Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use both.

Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.

Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is always my first option for buses, ferries and trains

Car rental – use DiscoverCars – they are my ‘go-to’ car rental site

Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!

Tours and Activities – book with Viator, GetYourGuide, or Eatwith. Top recommendations for birdwatching in New Zealand are:
1. Tiritiri Matangi Island Discovery from Auckland
2. Kapiti Island Classic Guided Day Tour from Wellington or the Kapiti Coast
3. Ulva Island Guided Wilderness Walk & Cruise from Stewart Island
4. Zealandia in Wellington

Thanks so much if you use one of these links – it costs you nothing but helps me keep writing!!

Now lets go with finding some of these wonderful birds and the best spots for bird watching in New Zealand….

Note: Where there is only a Māori name, it is used, where there is an English name both names are given with the one most commonly used first – whether Māori or English.

1. Kiwi – the iconic national bird of New Zealand

The iconic kiwi – a flightless wonder and the namesake of the people of New Zealand! In my mind it should be top of the list – and so it is here. Its not a particularly pretty bird – just an extraordinary bird with its long long beak, huge eggs, and unusable tiny wings! These are top spots to see the kiwi in its natural habitat:

  1. Stewart Island – anywhere! Try this great option for a guided Kiwi spotting session.
  2. The whole of Kapiti Island (offshore from Paraparaumu north of Wellington) – you can book an overnight kiwi spotting tour to get the best chance at seeing one of the kiwis.
  3. Tiritirimatangi Island reserve near Auckland. You can stay the night here (book well ahead), but you can also do a day tour – however you are unlikely to see kiwi during the day.
  4. Tawharanui Regional Park north of Auckland. Again you can stay the night here. In summer you must book ahead, or book this Kiwi Spotting & Stargazing Tour with an optional stay.

Camp out or walk at night in any of these places and you should get lucky. Of course, you do have to go out at dusk or night to see them as they are nocturnal (although occasionally you will see them in daylight hours but that’s only happened once for me).

For more details on where to see kiwis in the wild check out The 7 best places to see kiwis in the wild in New Zealand.

You can also see kiwis in captivity if you have no luck in the wild. My favorite places are:

wherre-to-find-unusual-new-zealand-animals-in-the-wild-including-a-kiwi-like-this-one
Kiwi bird in New Zealand

2. Kea – the cheekiest parrot of all

Kea are beautiful big mountain parrots – a kind of olive green color but when they lift their wings or fly you can see the orange underside of their wings. They are cheeky birds and love to get into things they are not meant to get into – like the rubber around the windows of your car!

To see Kea in New Zealand, you need to head to the mountains in the South Island. You can see them by chance anywhere in the mountains but key places are:

  • Arthur’s Pass National Park – on any walk or in the village itself you will usually see some
  • The Milford Road – especially at Monkey Creek
  • Near the Fox or Franz Josef Glaciers
  • Near the Hooker Valley Track and the Tasman Glacier Viewpoint at Mount Cook

You can also see kea in the following commercial places:

kea-in-new-zealand
A kea – New Zealands mountain parrot.

3. Kaka – another big New Zealand parrot

Another large parrot and related to the kea, they are more olive brown in colour but also have a red-orange coloured underwing area. They can make quite the noise!!

The easiest place to see Kaka in New Zealand is in Wellington where they are found all over the city but especially near Zealandia in places like the Wadestown Valley. You can book a guided tour of Zealandia where your guide will point them out as well.

Another place to see kaka in the wild is on Great Barrier Island – especially if you go hiking.

Or, book a trip to Tiritiri Matangi from Auckland to look for the kaka and other birdlife there with either GYG – Tiritiri Matangi Island or Viator Tiritiri Matangi Island Discovery.

You can also book a trip to Kapiti Island – just north of Wellington. Try this Kapiti Island Classic Guided Day Tour and let your guide help you find kaka as well as many other birds.

In the south – the easiest place to see wild kaka is on Ulva Island off Stewart Island! Another great trip is on the Ulva Island Guided Wilderness Walk & Cruise.

You can also see kaka in semi-captivity at places like:

male-north-island-robin-and-kaka-bird-watching-in-new-zealand
Male North Island Robin (left) and Kaka (right)

4. North & South Island Robins (Toutouwai & Kakaruai)

Robins are friendly little things and found in the forest – good places to see them are Great Barrier Island (the robin in the photo above is from there), forests of the central North Island, Fiordland, and the West Coast (of the South Island).

The following are great places to see robins on a guided tour:

5. Kakapo – another parrot and one of the rarest birds in New Zealand

Kakapo are incredibly rare due to the introduced predators over the years since Māori landed in the country, and of course as always, a decline in habitat. The one place to possibly see them (or at least hear them) on the mainland is at Sanctuary Mountain – Maungatautari. Otherwise they are only found in predator-free sanctuaries on a few offshore islands that are not open to the public.

kakapo-one-of-the-rarest-birds-in-new-zealand
The very rare kakapo — Credit to Mnolf

6. Penguin – of three varieties!

There are three types of penguins you can see on the mainland of New Zealand – the Little blue penguin (from June to March), the Yellow-eyed penguin (from August to April), and the Fiordland-crested penguin (from July to November).

For full details see Six top places to see wild penguins in New Zealand but for now, the best places to see these penguins in New Zealand are:

  • Pōhatu Bay near Akaroa on Banks Peninsula have a nightly 3 hour tour to see the Little Blues
  • In Oamaru you can watch the little blue penguins arrive home each evening!
  • The Otago peninsula near Dunedin where you can see little blue and yellow-eyed penguins. Try one of these tours: A 4.5-hour Otago Peninsula Scenery & Little Blue Penguin Tour or a 4-hour Wildlife Tour (small group 10max).
  • This Ulva island tour will take you to see bird life but keep an eye out for penguins en route.
    Also check around the Oban jetty at night for little blue penguins – you can often see them and it costs nothing! You might also see kiwis on the Rakiura track on Stewart Island.
  • Monro Beach in South Westland has Fiordland crested penguin from July to November around dusk. Go alone or take a guided tour from the Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge.
  • Curio Bay in The Catlins is a great spot for the yellow-eyed penguins who come and go each morning and evening to feed. (Its also a cool place with its fossilized forest.)
    And if you really want it all, then try staying at this place where penguins nest around the accommodation! PS – you can sit back, relax, and watch dolphins from your couch too.

If you can’t make it to see penguins in the wild, then even though I’m not generally a fan of aquariums and zoos, these are places you can see them:

yellow-eyed-penguin
Yellow eyed penguin heading home.

7. Tui (Kōkō) – a favorite for its classic bird song

Tui love feeding on kowhai and flax and are very distinctive with their black-looking (actually iridescent blue, green, and bronze) bodies and little white wattle on their throat. Their unique song is hard to ignore – a mix of melody and other sounds like coughs and grunts. Tui are easy to see – in gardens, parks and the bush. One great place is around Seatoun in Wellington where they are common.

You should see them on the Kapiti Island Classic Guided Day Tour or Tiritiri Matangi Island if you haven’t seen them elsewhere.

Tui-bird-on-flax
Tui bird on flax – with pollen on its nose!

8. Kererū (NZ Pigeon) – you will hear them coming

Another easily seen (big fat) bird – sometimes in gardens and parks, but usually in the forests. You are more likely to hear them before you see them as they have a loud wingbeat – once you have heard it you wont forget it! Thir white underbelly with a beautiful green-purple-blue throat back and wings make them a very attractive pigeon!

You should also see them on the Kapiti Island Classic Guided Day Tour or Tiritiri Matangi Island if not seen elsewhere.

kereru-and-takahe-birds-in-new-zealand
Kereru or pigeon (left) and takahe (right) – Takahe credit Bernard Spragg. NZ

9. Takahe – back from extinction!

Once thought extinct, Takahe are now getting stronger in numbers and there are about 500 to date. Again they are flightless and introduced predators decimated these birds. The best place to see them in the wild is on the Heaphy track where they are often seen near the Gouland Downs Hut and sometimes by the Saxon Hut and Perry Saddle Hut.

The only other places to see them in the wild is on Kapiti Island or Tiritiri Matangi Island. Try your luck on this Kapiti Island Classic Guided Day Tour or this Tiritiri Matangi Island Discovery.

Otherwise the best option is in Te Anau at the Te Anau Bird Sanctuary (Punanga Manu o Te Anau) just a short walk from the town center, or the Orokonui Ecosanctuary in Dunedin.

10. Morepork (Ruru) – New Zealand’s owl!

The little New Zealand owl is a cutie – and seen in forests and parks across a lot of the country but more often in Northland and Southland! If you listen for their “morepork” call / sound at dawn or dusk, then if you hear it, hopefully you will get to see them too!

If not, these are other places you can see them in captivity or semi-wild:

morepork-bird-in-new-zealand
Morepork or ruru! — Credit JJ Harrison

11. Pīwakawaka (Fantail) – a firm favorite nationwide

Walk in the forest anywhere in the country and you should soon see these little cuties – fantails or pīwakawaka! You can see them in parks and gardens as well. They love to follow you if you are hiking as they catch the insects you disturb. They have a lovely little “cheep” and are fun little friends to walk with!

If you do not have the chance to spend time in the forest, then a day trip to Tiritiri Matangi Island or this Kapiti Island Classic Guided Day Tour are great options.

Piwakawaka-or-fantail-makes-for-easy-bird-watching-in-New-Zealand
Piwakawaka or fantail on a hiking trail in the North Island

12. Weka – another very cheeky bird

Weka are cheeky – a bit like the kea. They are not shy at all as you can see from the picture – this weka walked all over my boot, pulled my laces undone, and generally made itself at home. They can steal things too if you leave them lying around! Often mistaken at first for a kiwi – they are a small hen size!

You can see them in grassy areas mostly in the Marlborough Sounds, the Nelson region, the upper West Coast, and Fiordland in the South Island (quite often in nature reserve DoC style campgrounds), but also on Kawau Island, in the Russell area, and in the Bay of Plenty in the North Island. This one in the photo was on the Milford Track!

You will also be very unlucky not to see weka on Kapiti Island and the Ulva Island Guided Wilderness Walk & Cruise.

weka-are-fun-and-friendly-birds-to-watch-in-new-zealand
Weka on the Milford Track!

13. Blue Duck (Whio) – a rare duck

Another rare New Zealand bird – the whio or blue duck lives in fast-flowing rivers in national parks like Tongariro (try the river at Turangi), Kahurangi and the West Coast of the South Island, and Fiordland, and then there is my favorite spot – at the Te Puia Hut on a walk near Napier. (See no 8. in these great mulit-day hikes in the North Island.) Just a note – they don’t actually look that blue!

You can also see blue duck in semi-captivity at places like:

blue-duck-are-found-near-fast-flowing-rivers-in-new-zealand
Blue duck like the fast flowing rivers!

14. Albatross (Toroa) – huge sea birds

The only place on land to see albatross in mainland New Zealand is at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head on the Otago Peninsula near Dunedin. This is the only mainland breeding colony (generally present from Nov-Feb). Book a tour from Dunedin:

Dunedin City Highlights, Otago Peninsula Scenery & Albatross Guided Tour

or, From Dunedin: City, Otago Peninsula & Albatross Guided Tour

15. Autralasian Gannets (Tākapu) – a real spectacle

Most gannets live on the coast of the North Island from The largest mainland gannetry is at Cape Kidnappers, with around 5,000 breeding pairs. Other mainland breeding sites include Muriwai with around1200 breeding pairs, and Farewell Spit which has a similar number.

Gannets mate, breed, and raise their young from around August/September to March/April. In May they fly to Australia for the winter, returning in spring.

The easiest colony to visit is the one at Muriwai Beach, on the west coast from Auckland.

seeing-the-gannet-colony-at-st-marys-is-one-of-the-best-things-to-do-in-newfoundland
Gannets galore!

16. Saddleback (Tīeke) – a beautifully designed bird

The saddleback is black with a chestnut “saddle” across its back, and bright red wattles at the base of its beak. It is quite rare in New Zealand although numbers are increasing! The best places to see the saddleback in the wild are, of course:

You can also see them in semi-captivity at: Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre just north of Masterton or Zealandia in Wellington

saddleback-one-of-the-most-beautiful-birds-in-new-zealand
The saddleback — Credit Francesco Veronesi

17. Bellbird (Korimako) – the prettiest song

Bellbirds can be found in forests, scrub, farm shelter belts, urban parks and gardens throughout the North, South, and Stewart Islands. They have a beautiful song. These are some of the many walks across the country known for seeing the bellbird (and others):

If you don’t see them while hiking or just by chance then you should see them at:

You can also see them in Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre just north of Masterton or Zealandia in Wellington

bellbirds-are-easy-to-see-when-bird-watching-in-new-zealand
Bellbird – looking rather evil – but they are not! — Credit Sid Mosdell

18. Rifleman (Titipounamu) – small and fast

Its hard to see these tiny birds – they are fast and small. They are not widespread but can be seen in the forest in some places more easily than others. Some good walking tracks are:

You can also see them in Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre near Masterton, Orokonui Ecosanctuary in Dunedin, or Zealandia in Wellington.

rifleman-bird-in-new-zealand
Rifleman in NZ forest — Credit Helmy oved 

19. NZ Parakeet (Kākāriki) – one of the most colorful natives

A lovely “normal sized” parrot that is not seen so often, but when you do see them its usually in a group. There are red-crowned and yellow-crowned types – the red is more common, but neither are commonly seen.

Two places I have seen them more than once is on Somes Island in the Wellington Harbour (which is a lovely day trip when you are in Wellington), and, in the Tawharanui Regional Park (north of Auckland).

But another good option is to go on this Bird Watching and Dolphin Eco-Tour to Blumine Island in the Marlborough Sounds!

Or of course at Tiritiri Matangi Island Discovery, or Kapiti Island Classic Guided Day Tour, or the Ulva Island Guided Wilderness Walk & Cruise.

You can also see them at: the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre just north of Masterton and Zealandia in Wellington.

kakariki-and-silvereye-birds-in-new-zealand
Kakariki parakeet (left) and silvereye (right) — Credit kakariki Judi Lapsley Miller and Credit silvereye Holly Cheng

20. Silver Eye (Tauhou) – very distinctive little friends

Silvereye are common and found throughout New Zealand in almost any area with trees – including gardens, farmlands, orchards, woodlands, and native forests

You should see them in your travels, but if not, you can generally easily see them on the Tiritiri Matangi Island Discovery, or Kapiti Island Classic Guided Day Tour, or the Ulva Island Guided Wilderness Walk & Cruise.

You can also see them at: the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre just north of Masterton, Orokonui Ecosanctuary in Dunedin, and Zealandia in Wellington.

21. White Heron (Tauhou) – one nesting site only

You can see solitary white heron in the lakes and rivers across the country, but the only place they congregate is at the White Heron Sanctuary in Whataroa on the West Coast of the South Island – from mid September to March.

Read all about how to visit them in How to visit New Zealand’s White Heron Sanctuary

wildlife-in-new-zealand
Family of White Herons.

22. Pūkeko – common beauties

You can see pūkeko all over the country in grassy and swampy areas. They are often in town parks, countryside or reserve campgrounds, roadsides, and on farmland. You don’t need to go anywhere special to find them!

pūkeko-birds-are-found-all-across-new-zealand
Pūkeko in a campground!

23. Tomtit (Miromiro) – another favorite little fellow

Tomtit are seen across the country in bush and forests and sometimes in rural gardens (the photo below was taken on my parents farm). But the best place to see these lovely little birds in the forest is on a tour to Tiritiri Matangi Island out of Auckland.

You can also see them at the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre near Masterton, and the Orokonui Ecosanctuary in Dunedin

tomtit-and-kokako-bird-watching-in-new-zealand
Tomtit (left) and Kokako (right)

24. Kōkako – brought back from the brink of extinction

The best places to see these lovely grey-blue birds in the forest is on Tiritiri Matangi Island, or Kapiti Island, or, in the following little known, definitely off the beaten path, forest reserves:

  • Hūnua Ranges Regional Park – at the Moumoukai Hill Road area – especially early in the morning. Also on tracks around the Upper Mangatawhiri Reservoir – particularly the Kohukohunui Track, and, near huts like Trig K Hut – again early in the morning or the evening.
  • Pirongia Forest Park – best spots are the Tahuanui track on Mount Pirongia, and, along the track that leads to the Hamilton Tomo Hut.
  • Pureora Forest Park – has the largest mainland kōkako population. Best places are in the Mangatutu and Tunawaewae Valley, especially along tracks like the Select Loop Road.

Not off the beaten path and quite accessible, is another good spot – the Kaharoa Kōkako Track near Rotorua.

You can also see them at the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre near Masterton.

25. Northern NZ Dotterel (tūturiwhatu) – great at camoflage!

You can see the dotterel on North Island beaches, especially the East Coast from North Cape down to Hawke’s Bay, including Northland, Auckland (especially at Tāwharanui Regional Park, Omaha, Great Barrier Island and Waiheke Island), Coromandel (especially at Opoutere, Matarangi, and Pauanui), and Bay of Plenty. You also see them in Taranaki on the West Coast.

Look for them near stream mouths, driftwood, and estuaries during their breeding season between August and February.

The photo below was taken on the beach at Westshore near Napier in a fenced off section designed to protect the nests and birds as they nest on the ground making them very vulnerable. They can be hard to spot as they are so well camouflaged in amongst the stones and driftwood where they like to nest.

the-dotterel-is-well-camouflaged-making-it-harderr-to-see-when-bird-watching-in-New-Zealand
Dotterel – well camoflaged!

26. Pied (tōrea) & Variable oystercatcher (tōrea pango)

You can see oyster catchers at beaches and estuaries right across the country. There are two species on the mainland – the South Island Pied and the Variable. Although not hard to find, some really good places are:

  • Kiwi Esplanade, Māngere Bridge in Auckland is a top spot for thousands of South Island Pied Oystercatchers roosting at high tide, as well as large numbers of Variable Oystercatchers.
  • Miranda Shorebird Centre – between Auckland and Thames is beside a large wetland area where oyster catchers are seen.
  • Northland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, and Wellington regions – are all good areas.
  • Nelson / Marlborough and Fiordland regions are good for Variable Oystercatchers.
a-south-island-pied-and-a-variable-oyster-catchers-on-the-beach-bird-watching-in-new-zealand
Oyster catchers – the South Island Pied (left) and the Variable (right)

27. Hihi (stitchbird) – hard to see but beautiful if you do

These rare birds are very hard to see on the mainland. But the following places are good options:

You can also see them in Zealandia in Wellington!

hihi-or-stitchbird-and-the-NZ-falcon-bird-watching-in-New-Zealand
Hihi or stitchbird (left) and the NZ falcon (right) — Credit hihi Charlesjsharp and falcon Tony Wills

28. New Zealand falcon (kārearea) – our birds of prey

You can see falcon across the country in most habitats – often picking at road kill! There are three types of NZ falcon:

  • Small dark ‘Bush’ falcons that live in forests in the central and lower North Island, and, the north-west of the South Island as far south as Greymouth.
  • Large paler ‘Eastern’ falcons that live in open dryer habitats on the east coast of the South Island , but also on the central West Coast area.
  • ‘Southern’ falcons which live in Fiordland and Stewart Island.

If you do not manage to see one in the wild, you can see them at the Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre in Rotorua.

29. Yellowhead (mohua) – a South Island sweetie

Yellowhead are found in the South Island, but will only be seen in the wild in a few places. Best places to look are:

  • Eglinton Valley (Fiordland National Park)
  • Hawdon Valley (Arthur’s Pass National Park)
  • The Catlins Forest Park (quite a reliable place to see yellowhead)

However, two good options are to go on this Bird Watching and Dolphin Eco-Tour to Blumine Island in the Marlborough Sounds
or
on the Ulva Island Guided Wilderness Walk & Cruise

You can also see them in captivity at Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch where they have been successfully bred.

yellowhead-and-whitehead-birds-in-new-zealand
Yellowhead (left) and Whitehead (right) — Credit yellowhead William Stephens and whitehead Roger South

30. Whitehead (pōpokotea) – the North Island version

Whitehead are found in the North Island forests and are relatively common to see.

If you don’t see them in the forest when walking, you should see them either on Tiritiri Matangi Island or Tiritiri Matangi Island Discovery, or the Kapiti Island Classic Guided Day Tour as there are plenty on both islands. You can also see them in the following areas:

You can also usually see them at the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre just north of Masterton and Zealandia in Wellington.

Related Posts

Six top places to see wild penguins in New Zealand

The 7 best places to see kiwis in the wild in New Zealand

How to visit New Zealand’s White Heron Sanctuary

Where to find 10 weird and wacky New Zealand animals in the wild

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