Nocturnal Birds

Found only in New Zealand, the Kiwi is a unique flightless bird belonging to the order of ratite birds which includes the emus, cassowaries, ostriches, rheas and the now extinct moa. Genetic research has identified four species and six varieties (or taxa) of kiwi: the Northern Brown, Okarito Brown, Southern Tokoeka, Haast Tokoeka, Little Spotted and the Great Spotted kiwi. The Northern Brown has also been geographically divided into five populations: Northland, Coromandel, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty and the East Cape populations.

The Kiwi is a flightless, nocturnal creature, tail-less, its body covered with hair-like, loosely attached feathers giving it a somewhat shaggy appearance. The body is cone-shaped and the head is small. The legs are powerful and muscular. The wings, which end in a primitive claw, are only about 30 to 50 mm. in length. The Kiwi differs from other birds in that the nostrils are at the tip of the bill instead of the base. It has a well developed sense of smell, being one of the few birds to have developed this faculty. They are also aided in their movements by cat-like whiskers. Kiwi females lay an egg proportionately larger to their size than any other bird.

The kiwi's diet consists mainly of earthworms, adult and larval beetles, caterpillars, cicadas and spiders. Fallen berries and seed may also be eaten. Here at the Kiwi House, our birds receive an artificial diet which consists of ox hearts cut into julienne strips, minced meat, tofu, bananas, sultanas and vitamin premix. All of this is then blended into a cooked, rolled oats mixture. Birds in outside breeding pens receive one starve-day a week in order to maintain natural foraging behavior.

The morepork (left) is the only surviving native owl, so named for its call. It is a common night bird and hunts insects and mice.

Reptiles
Green and wood geckos are on display. They are well camouflaged creatures living on trees and other vegetation, feeding on insects and nectar. Tuataras have been bred recently at the park for the first time in captivity. Offspring are on display. Adults are kept in the off-limits breeding pen.

The pukeko or swamp hen is the common swamp inhabitant of New Zealand. Feeding mainly on insects and plant stems which it can hold in its claws.

Wading birds such as pied stilts are usually found in small flocks in shallow ponds and low lying areas.

The spur-winged plover, a recent arrival from Australia, takes its name from the bony spurs on each wing at the carpal joint.

There are a wide variety of duck species ranging from the shoveler, with its spoon shaped bill, and the rare blue duck, found only in remote mountain streams, to the strikingly marked paradise duck, often seen grazing in open grassy country. Brown teal are secretive and prefer the seclusion of swamps. The scaup is a diving duck found on the larger lakes. It is identified by its black coloration.

The grey duck is the most common native waterfowl species found on most rivers and swamps. The smaller grey teal are less common. Shags or cormorants are fishing birds found in a variety of habitats from seashore to inland lakes. Most often seen drying their wings after diving.

The kaka is an impressive parrot of the native forests. Its cousin, the kea is found only in the mountains of the South Island. There is also a range of smaller green colored parakeets known as kakarikis distributed throughout New Zealand's major forested regions.

 
New Zealand's only native pigeon is a large bird found in small numbers over most of the countryside, feeding on shoots, fruits and berries.

Two species of nectar feeding birds are displayed at the park. They are the tui (left) and the bellbird, a smaller, greener bird. Both are famous for their melodious song. They are most often seen actively feeding on flowering shrubs.

Wekas are large inquisitive ground birds. They are bold and fearless hunters, eating anything they can kill or swallow.

The New Zealand falcon or sparrow hawk is the only member of this worldwide family to reside in New Zealand. A bold, fast and fearless hunter, it attacks and strikes its prey down in mid-air, feeding mainly on small birds.

The harrier is probably one of the most commonly seen birds by the traveling public. It is a roadside scavenger, feeding upon car killed rabbits, hares and possums.

The white faced heron, another recent arrival from Australia, is now the most plentiful heron in the country.

The barn owl, the most widely distributed land bird in the world, is a beautiful white owl, common in Australia. It is classified as an indigenous vagrant to New Zealand. There have been only four sightings since 1947.