Bird watching in Christchurch and Canterbury, New Zealand, offers a unique and diverse experience for avid bird enthusiasts. The region is home to a variety of endemic and rare bird species, making it a paradise for bird watchers or "twitchers". Some of the key birding locations and species in the area include: Kiwi, New Zealand's national emblem, is a nocturnal bird with an extremely long beak and plumage that resembles hair more than feathers. Although endangered, it can still be seen in the wild in Northland and on Stewart Island, as well as in wildlife enclosures throughout the country. New Zealand has three endemic bird families, including kiwi (with five species), wattlebirds (kokako and saddleback), and New Zealand wrens (rifleman and rock wren). Other notable species include alpine and forest parrots (kea, kaka, and kakariki), large flightless rails (weka), honeyeaters (the iridescent tui and New Zealand bellbird), and precious forest species such as yellowhead, whitehead, brown creeper, New Zealand robin, New Zealand tomtit, long-tailed cuckoo, and shining cuckoo.
New Zealand is home to more than 80 types of seabirds that breed along its shores, some of which migrate thousands of miles from the other side of the world. At the Royal Albatross Centre at Taiaroa Head, you can see the only mainland breeding colony of royal albatross in the world. Further south at Nugget Point in Southland, you can observe the hoiho (little yellow-eyed penguin) and tītī (sooty shearwater). To make the most of your bird-watching experience in Christchurch and Canterbury, consider joining a guided tour or staying at accommodations offered by the New Zealand Birding Network, a group of operators located throughout New Zealand that specialize in bird-watching oriented tours and excursions.