Conspicuous blue and black waterhen with gigantic red bill and forehead shield. Has large feet and white under tail feathers which it flicks up and down when walking. Occurs in a wide variety of wetland habitats and is a common sight in urban parks. They are very vocal, often making loud crowing calls and a range of other shorter squawks, including a single note squawk at night. (eBird)
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This beautiful swamphen, known in NZ as the Pukeko, was a regular sight throughout our tour. Smaller than their endangered cousins, the Takahe, they have adapted to life in the towns and countryside.
Tiritiri Matangi, Auckland, New Zealand. February 2024.
Roadrunner Birding Tours.
Tags: Canon EOS R6 Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM New Zealand Auckland Roadrunner Birding Tours Adult Gruiformes Rallidae Least Concern
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Conspicuous blue and black waterhen with gigantic red bill and forehead shield. Has large feet and white under tail feathers which it flicks up and down when walking. Occurs in a wide variety of wetland habitats and is a common sight in urban parks. They are very vocal, often making loud crowing calls and a range of other shorter squawks, including a single note squawk at night. (eBird)
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Like most rail chicks, the juvenile "Pukeko" is all black. This not so little one was out with its parents looking for lunch.
Tiritiri Matangi, Auckland, New Zealand. February 2024.
Roadrunner Birding Tours.
Tags: Canon EOS R6 Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM New Zealand Auckland Roadrunner Birding Tours Adult Gruiformes Rallidae Least Concern
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One of New Zealand’s best-known small endemic songbirds. Widespread throughout New Zealand in a variety of habitats, including urban parks and gardens. Uniquely characterized by a long white and black tail which it constantly flicks around and fans, and which is often the first thing visible. Will often approach people closely. Constantly on the move, hawking for insects in acrobatic flight. Uncommon all-black morph is present on the South Island and occasionally seen on the North Island. Listen for frequent vocal sounds consisting of a regular “cheep” or a squeaky “tweeta-tweeta-tweeta.” (eBird)
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With their cute, squeaky-toy call, we heard these cute birds everywhere, flitting quickly through the trees, fanning their tails and generally being impossible to photograph. This one finally decided we were interesting enough to stop and study, so we had a great opportunity to take more than a few photos.
Zealandia Te Mara a Tane Wildlife Sanctuary, Wellington, New Zealand. February 2024.
Roadrunner Birding Tours.
Tags: Roadrunner Birding Tours Wellington New Zealand Canon EOS R6 Adult Rhipiduridae Least Concern Endemic Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM
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Widespread and abundant in cities, neighborhoods and farms. Avoids dense woods. Flocks cluster in dense bushes, bustling around and chattering to one another. Males have smart black bibs, bright rufous napes, and stunningly patterned wings with brilliant buffs and browns. Underparts are pale pearly-gray. Females are plain brown with cute face and lighter eyebrow. Native to Eurasia; introduced to much of the rest of the world. (eBird)
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I just could not believe how many House Sparrows we saw in New Zealand. They were everywhere, often in big numbers. Pretty birds, but definitely not native. This female decided to pop up and survey us as we searched for more elusive prey.
Karaka Point Reserve, Picton, New Zealand. March 2024.
Roadrunner Birding Tours.
Tags: New Zealand Marlborough Roadrunner Birding Tours Canon EOS R6 Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM Least Concern Introduced Passeridae Adult Female
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Distinctive, large white wading bird with a spatula for a bill. Adult has short crest, yellowish breast patch. First year has paler bill, with fine black wingtips visible in flight. Sleeping birds have horizontal posture and bulging neck, vs. more vertical stance of egrets. Found in wetlands with shallow water (including tidal flats), where feeds by sweeping its bill side-to-side for crustaceans and small fish. May be confused with egrets when sleeping, but note stockier, more thickset overall appearance. (eBird)
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A short return to Dubai for today's photos. I had seen spoonbills previously, but never so closely. This bird was actively feeding, but looked up just long enough to capture his unusual bill.
Ras al-Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, Dubai, UAE. March 2024.
Tags: United Arab Emirates Dubai Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM Canon EOS R6 Least Concern Threskiornithidae Adult
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