Examining the DNA of the takahē has upended long-held beliefs about how the flightless bird ended up on the southwestern tip of New Zealand. This new knowledge can help future conservation efforts.
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Articles on New Zealand birds
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When scientists first thought to deceive predators with bird smells, the idea seemed crazy. But after seeing how fake news messes with the minds of both humans and animals, it now makes sense.
Kea were able to correctly guess the most probable scenarios, by evaluating various physical and social cues. Previously, only great apes and humans were known to be able to understand probability.
The New Zealand robin has learnt to hide left-over food for later consumption, and it turns out that male birds with the best spatial memory have the greatest breeding success.
Inbreeding and male infertility could be impeding the recovery of one of New Zealand’s threatened birds - the stitchbird, or hihi. Hihi sperm might hold the answer, and help raise funds for conservation.
New research suggests that New Zealand’s bizarre nocturnal parrot, the kākāpō, needs plant hormones to breed successfully.
Latest results from garden bird surveys in New Zealand show that at least six non-native species have declined over the past decade.
Top contributors
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Professor of Conservation Biology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney
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Discovery Early Career Research Fellow, University of Sydney
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Research fellow in conservation genetics, University of Otago
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Professor of Ecology, Lincoln University, New Zealand
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Senior Lecturer in Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
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Lecturer, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
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Associate Professor of Animal Behaviour, University of Canterbury
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Senior Lecturer in Ancient DNA, University of Otago
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Researcher, Department of Zoology, University of Otago
