Wetland and river birds

The endangered matuku-hūrepo inhabits wetlands throughout New Zealand. DOC is focusing on developing methods for surveying bittern systematically and for restoring wetlands.

The Australasian crested grebe or pūteketeke is a diving water bird. Lake Pearson/Moana Rua in Canterbury has been designated a wildlife refuge to help protect the grebe.

New Zealand's only endemic gull is found mainly on braided rivers in the South Island.

Kakī, or black stilt, is a native wading bird only found in New Zealand. It is regarded by Māori as a taonga species – a living treasure.

Most terns are seabirds but the black-fronted tern lives and breeds inland, only visiting the coast to feed in autumn and winter.

Learn about our iconic blue duck/whio, that's only found in New Zealand and faces a risk of becoming extinct.

The Brown teal/pāteke is a small dabbling duck endemic to New Zealand historically distributed throughout the lowland freshwater wetlands.

The dabchick, or weweia is a specialised waterbird endemic to New Zealand. They are currently extinct from the South Island but they can be found around the Central North Island in Taupo and Rotorua.

The paradise shelduck is New Zealand’s only shelduck, a worldwide group of large, often semi-terrestrial waterfowl that have goose-like features.

The pūkeko is probably one of the most recognised native birds in New Zealand with its distinctive colourings and habit of feeding on the ground.

Subantarctic teal include the Auckland Island teal and the distinctly different Campbell Island teal. The Campbell Island teal is one of the world's rarest ducks.

The white heron has always been rare in New Zealand and it has gained almost mythical status.

No other bird in the world has a bill like New Zealand’s wrybill. Its bill curves to the right, allowing it to probe for insects under river stones.