Bird Watching Guides

New Zealand

Bird watching guides for New Zealand are rather limited but there are a handful of books that the birder may find useful for the New Zealand trip.

'The Hand Guide to the Birds of New Zealand' by Hugh Robertson and Barrie Heather and illustrated by Derek J Onley, published by Penguin Books (NZ) Ltd Auckland, New Zealand. This guide is simple and straightforward to use and the illustrations give clear indications of defining bird features. Short descriptions of each species together with usual localities and status result in a reasonable to good field guide.

'Field Guide to New Zealand Sea Birds' by Brian Parkinson, published by New Holland Publishers (NZ) Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand. This book provides an excellent map of New Zealand waters divided into regions and a checklist of the birds likely to be found in each of these regions. Clear photographic illustrations accompany each bird description together with a range map and current status.