Bird identification tools

Use these guides to help you identify birds commonly seen around Aotearoa’s gardens, schools, and parks. You can recognise birds by their colour, shape, size, sound, and flight pattern.

Small birds <15cm

Medium birds 15-30cm

Large birds >30cm

Bird sounds

Can’t quite work out what is hiding in the trees in your garden? Have a listen to these bird call tracks and see if you can identify your birds this way.

Bellbird (Korimako)

Bellbird / Korimako

Credit: DOC

Blackbird (Manu pango) male
Blackbird (Manu pango)

Credit: Les McPherson

Chaffinch / Pahirini

Credit: Les McPherson

Dunnock

Credit: Les McPherson

Rosella - eastern
Eastern rosella

Credit: Greg McLachlan

Fantail / Pīwakawaka (North Island)

Credit: DOC

Fantail / Pīwakawaka (South Island)

Credit: DOC

Goldfinch

Credit: Les McPherson

Greenfinch

Credit: Les McPherson

Grey warbler / Riroriro

Credit: DOC

Kererū
Kererū

Credit: DOC

Magpie
Magpie (Australasian)

Credit: DigifishMusic

Myna (Maina)
Myna (Maina)

Credit: Les McPherson

Pigeon – rock
Pigeon (Rock pigeon)

Credit: Les McPherson

Silvereye (Tauhou)

Credit: Les McPherson

Song thrush
Song thrush

Credit: Les McPherson

Sparrow

Credit: Les McPherson

Starling (Tāringi)
Starling

Credit: Les McPherson

Swallow

Credit: Les McPherson

Tūī / Kōkō
Tūī / Kōkō

Credit: DOC

Yellowhammer male
Yellowhammer

Credit: Les McPherson

Credits:

DOC: Department of Conservation Bird Songs and Calls. These bird songs are Crown Copyright. They may be reused, even commercially, as long as you credit the Department of Conservation.
Les McPherson: Les McPherson archivebirdsnz.com
Greg McLachlan: Greg McLachlan, XC354601. Accessible at www.xeno-canto.org/354601
DigifishMusic: CC-BY-4.0

Want help with identifying your birds or can’t find your bird here?

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Our community of bird enthusiasts will help you!