New Zealand falcon or Kārearea is endemic to this New Zealand and is one of our most spectacular birds. It capable of flying at speeds over 100 km/h, and can catch prey larger than itself.
Although still widespread where suitable habitat exists, numbers have declined and predation by cats, mustelids, and hedgehogs is emerging as a problem for ground nesting falcons.
The Rifleman or Tītipounamu is one of only two surviving species within the ancient endemic New Zealand wren family. It is New Zealand’s smallest endemic bird, with fully grown adults reaching around 8 cm, weigh around 6g to 7g.
The Huia was the largest species of New Zealand wattlebird, endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. Its extinction in the early 20th century. The two major cause of extinction was overhunting to procure Huia skins for mounted specimens and the widespread deforestation of the lowlands of the North Island by European settlers. Huia were primarily found in broadleaf-podocarp forests where there was a dense understorey, with the lost of ancient, ecologically complex primary forests, they were unable to survive in regenerating secondary forests.
The fantail (Maori name: Piwakawaka) is one of New Zealand’s best known birds, as it is one of the few native bird species in New Zealand that has been able to adapt to an environment greatly altered by humans.
In Maori mythology, the piwakawaka is a messenger, bringing news of death from the gods to the people.
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