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See this triplist in printable PDF format with media only on page 1.

The impressive Mt. Cook (Aoraki), the highest point in New Zealand. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
Generally speaking, luck was on our side for this year's New Zealand tour. The weather here is typically changeable, and rain can often be a part of the equation. But aside from a few good rainstorms, we actually fared remarkably well with the weather. On top of that, we also fared pretty well with most of the specialty birds and wildlife. As islands go, the country of New Zealand is made up in large part by two of the largest (both in the top 15 based on area). Our tour afforded nearly three weeks to explore the riches of these two, along with smaller and more tranquil Stewart Island.
No one can argue that the New Zealand of today is in any way like that which existed prior to the arrival of the Maori, and later, the Europeans. It must have been quite a sight carpeted nearly completely with tall native forest, home to such notable beasts as the giant Haast Eagle, and some ten species of moas, an endemic order of birds, the Dinornithiformes. There were still Huias, Piopios, Laughing Owls, Bush Wrens and the like. Land clearing, habitation, and the introduction of numerous land predators has forever changed the landscape. Yet despite that, New Zealand remains a fascinating and unique place.
The land birds of New Zealand are some of the more fascinating ones around, and several of the families are found only here. Some are quite distinctive, and none more so than the bizarre kiwis. As our Okarito guide Ian pointed out, kiwis have in many ways adapted to living the lifestyle of a nocturnal mammal in the absence of true native land mammals. We were fortunate to see two members of this secretive family. There were other endemic families, too. We saw both Kea and Kaka, two members of the Strigopidae or New Zealand parrots, and we also saw the two extant members of the Acanthisittidae, the New Zealand Wrens. Genetics have shown them to be the most primitive members of the passerines. And then there were the distinctive members of the endemic Callaeidae family, the two saddlebacks and the Kokako, each with their distinctive wattles. In addition, the Stitchbird is now in its own endemic family, the Notiomystidae.
On top of having several endemic families of land birds, New Zealand truly shines in its pelagic environment. Owing in part to numerous small, offshore islands and rich, high biomass-laden waters, New Zealand provides some of the best seabird and marine mammal watching opportunities in the world. We took advantage of a few opportunities to get out and sample these. Our pre-trip pelagic in the Hauraki Gulf was amazing, encountering huge rafts of shearwaters at times, along with a great mix of special birds. And in Kaikoura, we ventured just a short ways offshore to experience a nice assortment of species, and also had great looks at Sperm Whale and Dusky Dolphins in the process. And Stewart Island provided another opportunity to take in the pelagic environment.
Beyond the birdlife, New Zealand must rank right up near the top of scenic places to travel in. At times, the scenery was simply breathtaking. And with a rich cultural history, well told by our two excellent driver/guides, we were well informed of most things kiwi.
A special thanks to all of you for making this New Zealand trip such a pleasure to lead. It was great traveling around with you and I hope to do it again soon. I wish you all the best in birding.
-- Chris
KEYS FOR THIS LIST
One of the following keys may be shown in brackets for individual species as appropriate: * = heard only, I = introduced, E = endemic, N = nesting, a = austral migrant, b = boreal migrant
Apterygidae (Kiwis)
A Southern Brown Kiwi feeding at night at Ocean Beach.
SOUTHERN BROWN KIWI (Apteryx australis lawryi) [E] OKARITO BROWN KIWI (Apteryx rowi) [E]
Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl)
CANADA GOOSE (Branta canadensis) [I]
CAPE BARREN GOOSE (Cereopsis novaehollandiae) [I]
BLACK SWAN (Cygnus atratus)

Scenic Milford Sound. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
PARADISE SHELDUCK (Tadorna variegata) [E] BLUE DUCK (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos) [E]
MALLARD (Anas platyrhynchos) [I]
PACIFIC BLACK DUCK (Anas superciliosa)
AUSTRALIAN SHOVELER (Anas rhynchotis)
GRAY TEAL (Anas gracilis)
BROWN TEAL (Anas chlorotis) [E]
NEW ZEALAND SCAUP (Aythya novaeseelandiae) [E]
Odontophoridae (New World Quail)
CALIFORNIA QUAIL (Callipepla californica) [I]
Phasianidae (Pheasants, Grouse, and Allies)
BROWN QUAIL (Coturnix ypsilophora) [I]
RING-NECKED PHEASANT (Phasianus colchicus) [I]
WILD TURKEY (Meleagris gallopavo) [I]
Podicipedidae (Grebes)

A Yellow-eyed Penguin heads back to its nest site. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
NEW ZEALAND GREBE (Poliocephalus rufopectus) [E] GREAT CRESTED GREBE (Podiceps cristatus)
Spheniscidae (Penguins)
YELLOW-EYED PENGUIN (Megadyptes antipodes) [E]
LITTLE PENGUIN (Eudyptula minor)
FIORDLAND PENGUIN (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus) [E]
Diomedeidae (Albatrosses)
WHITE-CAPPED ALBATROSS (Thalassarche cauta cauta)
SALVIN'S ALBATROSS (Thalassarche salvini) [E]
CHATHAM ALBATROSS (Thalassarche eremita) [E]
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS (BLACK-BROWED) (Thalassarche melanophris melanophris)

This Chatham Albatross was a surprise in the Hauraki Gulf. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS (CAMPBELL) (Thalassarche melanophris impavida) [E] ROYAL ALBATROSS (SOUTHERN) (Diomedea epomophora epomophora)
ROYAL ALBATROSS (NORTHERN) (Diomedea epomophora sanfordi) [E]
WANDERING ALBATROSS (Diomedea exulans)
Procellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels)
SOUTHERN GIANT-PETREL (Macronectes giganteus)
NORTHERN GIANT-PETREL (Macronectes halli)
CAPE PETREL (Daption capense)
GREAT-WINGED PETREL (GOULDI) (Pterodroma macroptera gouldi) [E]
COOK'S PETREL (Pterodroma cookii) [E]

Southern Royal Albatross. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
PYCROFT'S PETREL (Pterodroma pycrofti) [E] FAIRY PRION (Pachyptila turtur)
WHITE-CHINNED PETREL (Procellaria aequinoctialis)
PARKINSON'S PETREL (Procellaria parkinsoni) [E]
WESTLAND PETREL (Procellaria westlandica) [E]
FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER (Puffinus carneipes)
BULLER'S SHEARWATER (Puffinus bulleri) [E]

Westland Petrel. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
SOOTY SHEARWATER (Puffinus griseus) SHORT-TAILED SHEARWATER (Puffinus tenuirostris)
HUTTON'S SHEARWATER (Puffinus huttoni) [E]
FLUTTERING SHEARWATER (Puffinus gavia) [E]
Hydrobatidae (Storm-Petrels)
WILSON'S STORM-PETREL (Oceanites oceanicus)
NEW ZEALAND STORM-PETREL (Oceanites maorianus) [E]
GRAY-BACKED STORM-PETREL (Garrodia nereis)
WHITE-FACED STORM-PETREL (Pelagodroma marina)
Pelecanoididae (Diving-Petrels)

New Zealand Storm-Petrel and White-faced Storm-Petrel seen on the pre-trip pelagic. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
COMMON DIVING-PETREL (Pelecanoides urinatrix) Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)
AUSTRALASIAN GANNET (Morus serrator)
Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags)
LITTLE BLACK CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris)
GREAT CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax carbo)
PIED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax varius)
BRONZE SHAG (Phalacrocorax chalconotus) [E]
SPOTTED SHAG (Phalacrocorax punctatus) [E]
LITTLE PIED CORMORANT (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos)
Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)
AUSTRALASIAN BITTERN (Botaurus poiciloptilus)
GREAT EGRET (Ardea alba)

Australasian Gannet. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
WHITE-FACED HERON (Egretta novaehollandiae) PACIFIC REEF-HERON (Egretta sacra)
Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
ROYAL SPOONBILL (Platalea regia)
Accipitridae (Hawks, Eagles, and Kites)
SWAMP HARRIER (Circus approximans)
Falconidae (Falcons and Caracaras)
NEW ZEALAND FALCON (Falco novaeseelandiae) [E]
Rallidae (Rails, Gallinules, and Coots)
WEKA (Gallirallus australis) [E]
BUFF-BANDED RAIL (Gallirallus philippensis)
PURPLE SWAMPHEN (Porphyrio porphyrio)
TAKAHE (Porphyrio mantelli) [E]
EURASIAN COOT (Fulica atra)
Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings)
MASKED LAPWING (Vanellus miles novaehollandiae) PACIFIC GOLDEN-PLOVER (Pluvialis fulva)
RED-BREASTED DOTTEREL (Charadrius obscurus) [E]
DOUBLE-BANDED PLOVER (Charadrius bicinctus) [E]
WRYBILL (Anarhynchus frontalis) [E]
Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers)
SOUTH ISLAND OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus finschi) [E]
VARIABLE OYSTERCATCHER (Haematopus unicolor) [E]
Recurvirostridae (Stilts and Avocets)
PIED STILT (Himantopus leucocephalus)
BLACK STILT (Himantopus novaezelandiae) [E]
Scolopacidae (Sandpipers and Allies)

Takahe. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
MARSH SANDPIPER (Tringa stagnatilis) BAR-TAILED GODWIT (Limosa lapponica)
RUDDY TURNSTONE (Arenaria interpres)
RED KNOT (Calidris canutus)
RED-NECKED STINT (Calidris ruficollis)
SHARP-TAILED SANDPIPER (Calidris acuminata)
Laridae (Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers)
BLACK-BILLED GULL (Chroicocephalus bulleri) [E]
RED-BILLED GULL (Chroicocephalus scopulinus) [E]
KELP GULL (Larus dominicanus)
LITTLE TERN (Sternula albifrons)
FAIRY TERN (Sternula nereis davisae) [E]
GULL-BILLED TERN (Gelochelidon nilotica)
CASPIAN TERN (Hydroprogne caspia)

Kea. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
BLACK-FRONTED TERN (Chlidonias albostriatus) [E] WHITE-FRONTED TERN (Sterna striata)
Stercorariidae (Skuas and Jaegers)
BROWN SKUA (SUBANTARCTIC) (Stercorarius antarcticus lonnbergi)
Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
ROCK PIGEON (Columba livia) [I]
SPOTTED DOVE (Streptopelia chinensis) [I]
NEW ZEALAND PIGEON (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) [E]
Strigopidae (New Zealand Parrots)
KEA (Nestor notabilis) [E]
NEW ZEALAND KAKA (Nestor meridionalis) [E]
Psittacidae (Parrots)
RED-FRONTED PARAKEET (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae) [E]
YELLOW-FRONTED PARAKEET (Cyanoramphus auriceps) [E]
EASTERN ROSELLA (Platycercus eximius) [I]
Cuculidae (Cuckoos)
A South Island Wren near the Homer Tunnel.
SHINING BRONZE-CUCKOO (Chrysococcyx lucidus) LONG-TAILED KOEL (Eudynamys taitensis) [E]
Strigidae (Owls)
SOUTHERN BOOBOOK (MOREPORK) (Ninox novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae) [E*]
Alcedinidae (Kingfishers)
SACRED KINGFISHER (Todiramphus sanctus)
Acanthisittidae (New Zealand Wrens)
RIFLEMAN (Acanthisitta chloris) [E]
SOUTH ISLAND WREN (Xenicus gilviventris) [E]
Meliphagidae (Honeyeaters)
TUI (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) [E]
NEW ZEALAND BELLBIRD (Anthornis melanura) [E] Acanthizidae (Thornbills and Allies)
GRAY GERYGONE (Gerygone igata) [E]
Callaeidae (Wattlebirds)
KOKAKO (Callaeas cinereus) [E]
SADDLEBACK (NORTH ISLAND) (Philesturnus carunculatus rufusater) [E]
SADDLEBACK (SOUTH ISLAND) (Philesturnus carunculatus carunculatus) [E] Notiomystidae (Stitchbird)
STITCHBIRD (Notiomystis cincta) [E]
Cracticidae (Bellmagpies and Allies)
AUSTRALASIAN MAGPIE (Gymnorhina tibicen) [I]
Pachycephalidae (Whistlers and Allies)
WHITEHEAD (Mohoua albicilla) [E]
YELLOWHEAD (Mohoua ochrocephala) [E]

A male Stitchbird on Tiritiri Matangi. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
PIPIPI (Mohoua novaeseelandiae) [E] Rhipiduridae (Fantails)
NEW ZEALAND FANTAIL (Rhipidura fuliginosa) [E]
Petroicidae (Australasian Robins)
TOMTIT (Petroica macrocephala) [E]
NEW ZEALAND ROBIN (NORTH ISLAND) (Petroica australis longipes) [E]
NEW ZEALAND ROBIN (SOUTH ISLAND) (Petroica australis australis) [E]
NEW ZEALAND ROBIN (SOUTH ISLAND) (Petroica australis rakiura) [E]
Alaudidae (Larks)
SKY LARK (Alauda arvensis) [I]
Hirundinidae (Swallows)
WELCOME SWALLOW (Hirundo neoxena)
Locustellidae (Grassbirds and Allies)

Fernbird. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
FERNBIRD (Megalurus punctatus vealeae) [E] Zosteropidae (Yuhinas, White-eyes, and Allies)
SILVER-EYE (Zosterops lateralis)
Turdidae (Thrushes and Allies)
EURASIAN BLACKBIRD (Turdus merula) [I]
SONG THRUSH (Turdus philomelos) [I]
Sturnidae (Starlings)
COMMON MYNA (Acridotheres tristis) [I]
EUROPEAN STARLING (Sturnus vulgaris) [I]
Prunellidae (Accentors)
DUNNOCK (Prunella modularis) [I]
Motacillidae (Wagtails and Pipits)
AUSTRALASIAN PIPIT (NEW ZEALAND) (Anthus novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae)
Emberizidae (Buntings, Sparrows and Allies)

Bottlenose Dolphin jumping behind our boat. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
YELLOWHAMMER (Emberiza citrinella) [I] Fringillidae (Siskins, Crossbills, and Allies)
COMMON CHAFFINCH (Fringilla coelebs) [I]
EUROPEAN GREENFINCH (Chloris chloris) [I]
COMMON REDPOLL (Acanthis flammea) [I]
EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH (Carduelis carduelis) [I]
Passeridae (Old World Sparrows)
HOUSE SPARROW (Passer domesticus) [I]
OLD WORLD RABBIT (Oryctolagus cuniculus) [I]
CAPE HARE (Lepus capensis) [I]
BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN (Tursiops truncatus)
DUSKY DOLPHIN (Lagenorhynchus obscurus)
HECTOR'S DOLPHIN (Cephalorhynchus hectori) [E]

Tiaki, a bull Sperm Whale sounding. (Photo by guide Chris Benesh)
SPERM WHALE (Physeter catodon) SHORT-TAILED WEASEL (STOAT) (Mustela erminea) [I]
HOOKER'S SEA LION (Phocarctos hookeri)
NEW ZEALAND FUR SEAL (Arctocephalus forsteri)
Totals for the tour: 141 bird taxa and 9 mammal taxa