Birds of the Kaipara

Ducks and Dabchicks on dune lakes: the dune lakes are a haven for wetland bird life.  Ducks resident on the lakes include the abundant Mallard....more

Shorebirds: There are many shorebirds to be seen along the sandy beaches of the Norwest coasts. Some of these birds prefer to be down by the tide-line ....more

Wetlands in the Norwest: these areas are vital for many species of shy birds that most people rarely see, including the Banded Rail ....more

Fernbirds: Small populations of Fernbirds are thriving around the Kaipara Harbour, in areas of salt marsh, near wetlands, and in riparian margins ....more

Kereru: Kereru are often seen around the Norwest, feeding in bush reserves, bush remnants, and in gardens ....more

Tomtit:  A newcomer to the Norwest in recent years is the Tomtit or Miromiro .....more

Australasian Gannet: One of the Norwest’s iconic birds is the Australasian Gannet, most often seen at the Takapu Refuge ....more

Caspian Tern: these gregarious, large white terns with black cap and bright red beak, are the largest of our terns ....more

Fairy Tern: the highly endangered New Zealand Fairy Tern has now been confirmed as a separate species ....more

Royal Spoonbill: An unusual bird that is worth watching for on the Kaipara Harbour is the Royal Spoonbill....more

Ramsar status for the Kaipara: The Kaipara Harbour meets many of the criteria of the Ramsar Convention ....more