Custom Travel Itineraries to New Zealand since 1990
New Zealand is a birder’s paradise. With six unique bird families and a vast array of seabirds, the country is a dream destination for those even remotely interested in learning more about these unique critters. Years of effort by the government have also helped native species thrive. While rats and stoats remain an issue in New Zealand, there are efforts underway to be predator free by 2050.
Even if visiting New Zealand on a itinerary not specific to bird watching, you may be interested to take some time to get to know these feathered friends a little more closely. This blog post provides some overview information about the uniqueness of New Zealand’s birds and a few locations to consider on your trip.
What makes New Zealand so special?
85 million years ago New Zealand separated from a giant continent named Gondwanaland. This isolation led to the evolution of unique birdlife unseen anywhere else on Earth. Here’s why:
The result? A mind-blowing variety of birds!
Foris Eco-Tours offer amazing birding adventures that cater to your preferences! They discuss with you what species you’d like to see and offer forest or shore birding experiences.
Explore the ancient trees of Whirinaki Forest in search of Kaka parrots, Kakariki parakeets, Toutouwai robins, Karearea falcons, Whio blue ducks, Rifleman, Long-tailed cuckoos, Tomtits, Wood pigeons, and Tuis.
Alternatively, explore the Bay of Plenty’s shores for NZ Dotterels, Bar-tailed godwits, Royal spoonbills, White-fronted terns, Pied stilts, Cormorants, and many more.
Daily trips depart Rotorua/Tauranga at 9:00 AM and return around 4:00 PM. These trips are suitable for anyone with moderate fitness and include lunch, binoculars, spotting scopes, and transportation.
Kapiti Island, a world-famous bird sanctuary and limited-access nature reserve, teems with native and endangered species like takahe, kakapo, kokako, stitchbird, and saddleback. Here, Kapiti Island Nature Tours offers the best chance to see the elusive little spotted kiwi in the wild. Look out for other residents like weka, kereru, robin, whitehead, kakariki, and ruru. Birders will find paradise with easy access to a stunning variety of birds in this thriving, regenerating forest.
Believe it or not you can explore the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary just outside of Wellington. Zeelandia is 225-hectares and boasts a 500-year vision of restoring a native forest and freshwater ecosystem, allowing rare and endangered wildlife like kiwi, saddleback, kaka, tuatara, and takahe to thrive freely. Choose from daytime, twilight, or nighttime tours to experience the sights and sounds of the forest with an expert guide, learning about New Zealand’s unique ecology and soaking up the beauty of a restored natural haven.
Renowned for boasting the greatest concentration of seabird species near shore in New Zealand, Kaikoura offers unbeatable birding opportunities. Witness albatross soaring alongside petrels, shearwaters, terns, shags, and even penguins! Albatross Encounter’s 2.5-hour tours operate year-round, with extended options available, ensuring an unforgettable encounter with diverse seabirds, regardless of the season.
Embark on a fascinating penguin adventure at Taiaroa Head, Dunedin! Your tour on the scenic Otago Peninsula starts with a glimpse into the cultural significance of the Pukekura area before heading to the penguin conservation area to witness the adorable Little Blue Penguins. These are the world’s smallest penguins and they are cute as they waddle ashore after a day at sea. Observe them from a dedicated platform as they navigate the beach toward their cliff-side burrows. Nest boxes and predator control ensure the young birds thrive, while a souvenir shop and cafe onsite provide a convenient ending to your unforgettable encounter.
Spot the world’s largest seabird, the Royal Albatross, at its only mainland breeding colony in Dunedin’s Taiaroa Head! Take our premium tour for the ultimate experience. This fully guided adventure includes a film about the Albatross and the region’s history, followed by a visit to the viewing observatory for up-close encounters with nesting birds. Learn about Maori and European influences through commentary on the fortifications, and for a truly immersive experience, consider our Sundowner Package with Monarch Wildlife Tours, featuring a wildlife cruise, albatross tour, dinner, and blue penguin viewing (reservations required).
Explore the wonders of the Otago area with eco Wanaka day trips. A favorite of clients includes the Lake Cruise & Island Nature Walk (4 hours) in which you visit Mou Waho Island, a predator-free haven for bellbirds, tomtits, New Zealand pigeons, falcons, and the flightless buff weka (extinct on mainland NZ). Discover the island’s hidden lake offering stunning panoramic views of the Southern Alps, and even plant a native tree for a hands-on eco-experience. Another highlight is the Rob Roy Glacier Guided Trek (full day) embarks on the most diverse one-day walk in New Zealand. Cross a swing bridge into a rainforest teeming with bellbirds, riflemen, and tomtits. Enjoy lunch in alpine herb fields where you might spot kea parrots and witness spectacular icefalls.
Ulva’s Guided Walks is led by internationally renowned birding and natural history specialists. Ulva Island is the specialty, but their expertise covers all birding adventures on Stewart Island. This full-day extravaganza guarantees an extraordinary experience: explore Ulva Island’s vibrant forest in the morning, encounter a smorgasbord of seabirds like albatrosses and shearwaters on a pelagic charter in the afternoon, and top it all off with a captivating twilight kiwi spotting adventure!
Make Memories that Last
Even in a short visit to New Zealand you can encounter representatives of all six bird families endemic to the country. Our experts will work to help craft an itinerary which includes a unique guided tour or help you focus in-depth!
How our team can help:
We have relationships around the country to help bring you the tailored holiday you prefer. Our advice is to plan ahead however. Popular birding spots and the better activities will book up quickly in the season. Our team is here to make your New Zealand adventure unforgettable! Contact us today to get started