Native Birds in the Tangihua ranges.

Introduction to Birds in the Tangihua ranges

Native Birds in the Tangihua ranges page provides an introduction to the bird species found in the Tangihua Ranges, what we are doing to protect them, how we are educating people on the birds and their importance to the forest. See the right hand column for links to more information on specific birds that do or did live in the Tangihua forest.

The Vital Role of Birds in the Tangihua Forest

The author and a young Kereu rescued and released during our conservation program

Our forests will not survive unless flowers are pollinated and seeds dispersed to grow the next generation of plants and trees. Pollination is carried by nectar loving birds such as Tui and Bellbirds and others, such as the Kererū, spread fertile seeds throughout the forest. Without these birds the forest would eventually disappear as no new trees grow to replace the old ones that fall. All birds require a suitable habitat for food and shelter. For most of New Zealand’s native birds this suitable habitat is in the form of mature native forests.

Status of bird species in the Tangihua ranges

Quote from Natural areas of Tangihua Ecological District Reconnaissance survey report for the Protected Natural Areas Programme 2009

Except for predation by introduced predators the Tangihua Forest provides good wildlife habitat for a variety of native wildlife. All the original native birds and bats are considered locally extinct, functionally extinct (means adults exist in the forest but cannot raise the next generation) or are under severe pressure from predators.

The table below contains a range of birds and their status in the Tangihua Ranges. These classifications were given in 2009 and may now be out of date. For instance; in the past few years in areas where pest control has been undertaken, the number of fantails appears to be increasing.

Each bird name is a link to a page containing more information about the species;

Locally extinct

Can still be found in New Zealand but no longer found in the Tangihua Range or area
Red-crowned Kakariki
Yellow-crowned Kakariki
(kakariki are parakeets)
Bellbird
Kokako
Rifleman
North Island Robin

Functionally extinct

Adults are still found in the Tangihua Ranges but they are unable to raise their young.
North Island Brown Kiwi
Kaka

Serous decline

Still found in the Tangihua Ranges but their numbers are declining quickly
Pigeon – Kereru
Tom tit – Miromiro
Fantail

Gradual decline or stable

Still found in the Tangihua Ranges. Numbers are either stable or declining slowly
Morepork- Ruru
Tui
Pukeko
Kingfisher
Shining Cuckoo
Grey warbler

Protecting our Local Birds

Tiakina nga manu, ka ora te ngahere Ka ora te ngahere, ka ora nga manu — Look after the birds and the forest flourishes. If the forest flourishes, the birds flourish.
The statement ‘you will find more birds in your back yard than in the Tangihua Ranges’ surprises most people until they walk through the forest and realise how quiet it is. Next time you are in the Ranges, take some time to stop and listen. It is likely that you will not hear anything more than the wind in the trees. That is why we have a conservation program with the objective of making the Tangihua Ranges the noisy forest it once would have been.
The first step to ensuring the birds survival is to understand their place in the Tangihua Ranges ecosystem and what they require to survive and thrive.
The Tangihua Lions Lodge trust and its partners believe that with appropriate action on key issues the future of the birds in the Tangihua Ranges can be secured and improved. The key component to protecting the future of the forest and its birds is pest eradication. Rats, possums, mustelids and cats are the key targets as they cause the most damage to the plants and wildlife.
Some bird species, such as Tomtits, Wood Pigeons and Fantails can still be found in the Tangihua Ranges so their populations will recover quickly once the predators are removed. Others, such as Kaka, are gone from the Tangihua Ranges but may migrate back from surrounding areas once conditions approve. Others will need to be reintroduced.
  • Kiwi to bolster the small existing population.
  • Kākāriki, Bellbirds, Kōkako and Rifleman as they are either regionally extinct or their numbers are so low in the north that only human intervention can bring them back to the forest.

The List of Our Birds

This is a list of the birds that can be found, or used to be found, in the Tangihua Ranges
Common Name Māori Name European Name In Northland?
Bellbird Korimako Bellbird Yes. Can still be found throughout Northland.
Brown kiwi Kiwi North Island Brown kiwi Yes. But in serious decline.
Fantail Pīwakawaka Fantail Yes. Can still be found throughout Northland.
Grey Warbler Riroriro Grey Warbler Yes. Can still be found throughout Northland
Harrier Hawk Kāhu Harrier Yes. Can still be found throughout Northland
Kaka Kākā Forest Parrot Yes. But only found in the Whangarei Heads Conservation area.
Kakariki Kākāriki Red Crowned Parakeet No Extinct in Northland
Kakariki Kākāriki Yellow Crowned Parakeet No Extinct in Northland
Kingfisher Kōtare Sacred Kingfisher Yes. Can still be found throughout Northland
Kokako Kōkako Blue Wattled Crow Yes, but only in low numbers in Mataraua and Puketi forests.
Morepork Ruru Morepork Yes. Can still be found throughout Northland
New Zealand Dab Chick Weweia New Zealand Dab Chick No Extinct in Northland
New Zealand Falcon Karearea New Zealand Falcon No Extinct in Northland
North island robin Toutouwai North island robin Yes. But only in very small numbers in conservation areas.
Paradise Duck Pūtangitangi Paradise Shellduck Yes. Can still be found throughout Northland
Pateke Pāteke Brown Teal Yes. Can still be found throughout Northland
Rifleman Tītipounamu Rifleman Yes. But in low numbers and not in the far north.
Saddleback Tīeke Saddleback Yes. But only on the Hen and Chicken Islands.
Shining Cuckoo Pīpīwharauroa Shining Cuckoo Yes. Spends the summer months breeding in New Zealand.
Silvereye, Waxeye, White-eye Tauhou Silvereye, Waxeye, White-eye Yes. Can still be found throughout Northland
Skylark Kaireka Skylark Yes. Can still be found throughout Northland
Stitchbird Hihi Stitchbird No Extinct in Northland
Tomtit Miromiro Tomtit Yes. Can still be found throughout Northland
Tui Tui Parson Bird Yes. Can still be found throughout Northland
Weka Weka Woodhen Yes. But only in areas in and around Russell where it was re-introduced.
Whitehead Popokatea Whitehead Yes. But has largely disappeared.
Wood Pigeon, Kereru Kereru New Zealand Wood Pigeon Yes. Still be found throughout Northland.

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