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NZ Birding

Watch birds in Aotearoa, and know where to look

NZ Birding is an independent field guide. We write practical notes on where and when to find our endemic forest birds, the seabirds that make these waters famous, the shorebirds of our harbours, and the tūī and pīwakawaka in your own backyard.

We don't run trips or sell anything. For guided outings, check the Department of Conservation (DOC), the sanctuaries themselves, or a licensed operator's own site.

Where to goSanctuaries, islands, estuaries and forests worth the trip. SpeciesField cards for the birds people most want to see. SeabirdsAlbatross, petrels, shearwaters and the subantarctic. Backyard & gardenPlanting, predator control and counting the birds at home.

Latest field notes

Anywhere Birding etiquette and biosecurity How to watch New Zealand birds without disturbing them, and how to keep rats, ants and weed seeds out of your pack before visiting a pest-free island. 28 October 2026 Garden Backyard birds of New Zealand gardens The tūī, pīwakawaka, tauhou and other birds most likely to turn up in a New Zealand garden, and how to tell them apart by sight and sound. 28 October 2026 Island sanctuary Island sanctuaries: Tiritiri Matangi, Zealandia and Ulva Three of New Zealand's best places to see rare forest birds up close: how each sanctuary works, what to look for, and the biosecurity that keeps them safe. 28 October 2026 Open ocean Pelagic seabirds from New Zealand boats Albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters from the Hauraki Gulf, Kaikōura and the ferries: where to go, when, and how to tell the commoner tubenoses apart. 28 October 2026 Open ocean Birding the subantarctic islands Albatross, penguins and island endemics on New Zealand's five subantarctic island groups: what lives where, how visits work, and the strict biosecurity rules. 28 October 2026 Forest Ten endemic birds and where to see them Kiwi, kea, kākā, takahē, kōkako and five more birds found only in New Zealand, with the habitat, season and places that give you the best chance. 28 October 2026 Anywhere Planning a birding trip around New Zealand How to plan your own birding route around Aotearoa: what to target, when to go, island access, biosecurity and when a licensed guide is worth it. 28 October 2026