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Native Birds at Staglands Wildlife Reserve
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Staglands Wildlife Reserve houses a large variety of New Zealand native birds. Each bird in our farm park is unique and very special to New Zealand. The native birds are at the heart of our conservation efforts and the main reason behind the opening of our park.
What are some of the Native Birds will I see at Staglands?
Here are a few details of these New Zealand Native Birds you will find at Staglands…
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Blue Duck
Hymernolaimus Malacorhynchos (Whio)
The Blue Duck, found at Staglands Wildlife Reserve, is classified as a nationally endangered species, with current populations declining, and unless the causes for its decline are remedied, the species faces the risk of becoming extinct.
Interesting Fact:
The Blue Duck is one of only three species amongst the world’s other 159 waterfowl that live year round on fast-flowing rivers, such as the one at Staglands. The other species are found in South America and New Guinea.
Habitat and Distribution:
A threatened species, the Blue Duck inhabits the turbulent fast flowing high-country rivers of the North Island and nests in hollow logs, small caves and other sheltered spots, like those found in our wildlife park. Recent introductions of the species have been made to some rivers of Mt Taranaki. The Blue Duck is exclusively native to New Zealand – or “endemic” and has no close relatives anywhere in the world! We are lucky to have them here in Wellington.
Characteristics:
The Blue Duck is the only duck species likely to be seen on turbulent high-country rivers. Its upper bill has a thick fleshy ‘lip’ allowing them to scrape off insect larvae that cling to rocks. Because of their slate-gray colour, the Blue Duck is very well camouflaged around river rocks. Blue Ducks have unique features such as a streamlined head and large webbed feet to enable them to easily manoeuvre and feed in fast moving rapids.
Voice:
The Maori name for the Blue Duck is “Whio”, which is a rendition of the males' call. The male makes a distinctive high-pitched “whio” whistling sound – contrasting with the low rasping growl of the female. A great family activity is to see who can make the best “whio” call!
Food:
The Blue Duck uses its special bill to get at insects and grubs taken from the water’s surface or around rocks. The Caddis-fly larvae are a favourite food for the Blue Duck.
Breeding:
Blue Ducks nest from August to December. Their nest is constructed of sticks and grasses usually hidden under rocks, in caves, under logs or in thick riverside vegetation. A clutch of 4 - 8 cream coloured eggs are incubated by the female only, for 32 days. Chicks can fly when they are 10 weeks old.
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Kea
Nestor Notabilis
Mischievous and cheeky, these highly social “mountain parrots” have a tendency to create havoc by being very destructive to human belongings such as cars! But don’t worry our Staglands car park is perfectly safe!
Interesting Kea fact!
These fascinating birds have been dubbed the 'clown of New Zealand's Southern Alps'. The Keas long beak is a valuable tool in its search for food especially in crevices in between rocks and boulders and for prizing off the lids of rubbish bins!
Habitat and Distribution:
The Kea is a protected species and inhabits the South Island’s alpine forests and mountains. They are not typically found in Wellington, but are very happy in their habitat at Staglands.
Characteristics:
The Kea has olive green plumage and a large and very strong hooked beak distinguishing it from its close relative, the South Island Kaka. Beautiful orange feathers can be seen under its wings when in flight. The Kea is essentially a ground bird often entertaining any humans present with their sideways hopping. But when airborne, they are magnificent fliers.
Voice:
The Kea’s call is high pitched with a rather raucous 'kee-aa' call, especially when flying. They also have a variety of softer murmuring calls.
Food:
Keas have a varied and adaptable diet, reflecting the changeable conditions of their habitat. Mostly vegetarian, Kea love to eat; seeds, buds, foliage, fruits, nectar and also likes the occasional insect or grub. In harder times of winter Kea are also known to feed on carrion and can attack sickly sheep.
Breeding:
Unlike other parrots, the Kea builds a nest made of sticks, grasses, moss and lichens, usually under rock, just above the bush line or in a forest clearing. A clutch of two or three white eggs is laid from August to January and males feed their mate whilst she incubates the eggs which may take up to four weeks. Males sometimes mate with two or more females.
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North Island Kaka
Nestor Meridionalis Septentrionalis
Like its close cousin the Kea, the Kaka is an ancient species and a cheeky endemic bird to New Zealand. Declining numbers mean that these birds are classified as threatened and are listed as a nationally endangered species.
Interesting Kaka Fact:
Maori named this playful bird after its raucous screech. The Kaka lives for about 23 years, is not territorial and has the biggest vocabulary of the parrot world! Have a chat to our Kaka at Staglands and see if you get a reply!
Habitat and Distribution:
The North Island Kaka inhabits large tracts of lowland forest in the North Island and forested offshore islands, but is a threatened species on the mainland. You wouldn’t expect to see them on your typical Wellington bush walk!
Characteristics:
The North Island Kaka ranges from grey to an olive, reddish brown and in flight shows rounded wings with scarlet and orange underneath and often calls when flying at night. Its powerful hooked beak is used for tearing at bark and as a third leg when hopping and climbing. Their brush-tipped tongue helps to get at sap and nectar and plays an important role in the forest by pollinating flowers.
Voice:
The North Island Kaka has a harsh grating call when disturbed or flying. The bird otherwise uses soft melodious whistles and warbles and soft low whistles and chuckles when nesting.
Food:
This amazing bird enjoys a wide range of foliage, shoots, fruits, nectar, insects and their larvae. They use their strong beak used to rip bark and wood from dead trees in search of grubs.
Breeding:
The North Island Kaka likes to nest in a cavity of a mature or dead tree. A clutch of two to four white eggs are laid on powdered wood from October to January and incubated by the female, who is fed every 1.5 hours by the male. The incubation period is 24-26 days and the chicks are flightless for two or three days and fledge when 10 weeks old.
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New Zealand Falcon
Falco novaeseelandiae (Karearea)
Interesting Falcon Fact:
The New Zealand Falcon is one of the world’s fastest birds, and can clock up to speeds of over 200km per hour! Their eyesight is also eight times better than humans!
Habitat and Distribution:
This New Zealand native bird is a variable species with three distinct forms (Bush, Eastern and Southern) they differ in size, colour and habitat. The Eastern Falcon lives on the east coast of the South Island and the southern half of the North Island. The Southern Falcon lives in the lower South Island. The Bush Falcon inhabits forested regions of Westland, north-west Nelson and the North Island.
Characteristics:
The Falcon’s rapid flight, fast wing beat and long tail distinguish it from the larger Australasian Harrier. The female is markedly larger than the male and the birds become fiercely territorial in the breeding season, when adults will make repeated dive-bomb attacks near the nest.
Voice:
The New Zealand Falcon has a Rapid repeated 'kek-kek-kek', also a subdued high pitched scream, especially in immature birds. Juveniles’ call a whining ‘Whee-up’ when begging for food and adult females make a ‘Chup’ call while on their nest.
Food:
The New Zealand Falcon is an adaptable hunter that catches and feeds on live prey such as large insects, lizards and rodents. Their main diet appears to be smaller passerine birds, especially starlings, skylarks and finches, less often larger prey such as feral pigeon, kereru, herons and magpies. Hares and rabbits are also occasionally hunted. An amazing native New Zealand bird.
Breeding:
Falcons use no nesting materials. Eggs are laid in a depression on the ground under overhanging rocks, fallen logs or on ledges of rocky bluffs. Bush Falcons also reported to often nest in clumps of perching epiphytes in emergent podocarps. A clutch of three eggs are laid between September and December and are reddish brown with chocolate blotches. Eggs are incubated by both the male and female for 30-33 days. Chicks are fed by female with food captured by the male. The smaller male chicks fly when 32 days old and female chicks when 35 days old. Juveniles can be still partially dependent on adults
for food up to five months after fledging.
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Conservation Links
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