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.
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Small birds <15cm






Medium birds 15-30cm




Large birds >30cm




Bellbird / Korimako
Credit: DOC

Blackbird (Manu pango)
Credit: Les McPherson

Chaffinch / Pahirini
Credit: Les McPherson

Dunnock
Credit: Les McPherson

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
Credit: DOC

Magpie (Australasian)
Credit: DigifishMusic

Myna (Maina)
Credit: Les McPherson

Pigeon (Rock pigeon)
Credit: Les McPherson

Silvereye (Tauhou)
Credit: Les McPherson

Song thrush
Credit: Les McPherson

Sparrow
Credit: Les McPherson

Starling
Credit: Les McPherson

Swallow
Credit: Les McPherson

Tūī / Kōkō
Credit: DOC

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