Looking for ideas to have some fun with the kids without even leaving home? Try a bit of bird spotting in your own backyard or a nearby park.
Click through the image gallery above to find the top 10 birds to spot in your backyard.
Results from a region-wide bird survey
One of the most comprehensive bird surveys completed by Auckland Council (963 bird counts at 330 sites across the region) has an interesting story to tell.
- 61 different bird species were detected across Auckland
- 37 of those were native
- 21 of these bird species are endemic to New Zealand, meaning they are found nowhere else
- 17 were 'threatened' or ‘at risk’ species
- Half of the top 10 most common birds were natives
- The top three most common birds were all natives: tūī, riroriro (grey warbler), pihipihi (silvereye)
- The highest numbers of birds only found in New Zealand, such as tūī, riroriro, pīwakawaka (fantail) and kererū (wood pigeon), were found on island sites, where native species outnumbered introduced species
- Birds are a good indicator of ecosystem quality and condition as they are high up the food chain; if birds are doing well, it's likely bugs, worms, plants and other life forms they feed on down the chain are doing well too.
The results of this survey reflect the amazing efforts of restoration teams from the community, Auckland Council and DoC in enhancing habitats and controlling pests on islands and in the larger mainland park areas in the Waitākere and Hunua ranges.
For more details, read the report, or find a community group near you to get involved in restoration work in your area.
Make your backyard a pest-free haven for birds this spring by taking three simple actions:
