This list of recognized names for bird species in New Zealand is provided by the Ornithological Society of New Zealand Inc. (OSNZ). It is derived from the 3rd Edition (1990) of its Checklist of the Birds of New Zealand and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica and includes subsequent decisions of the Rare Birds Committee of the OSNZ. If new birds are added to the list by the decisions of this Committee, the listing attached here will be amended accordingly from time to time.

At the request of the Department of Conservation (DoC) the categories of the New Zealand Threat Classification (details in Molloy, J.; Bell, B.; Clout, M.; de Lange, P.; Gibbs, G.; Given, G.; Norton, D.; Smith, N.; Stephens, T. 2002. Classifying species according to the threat of extinction. A System for New Zealand. Threatened species occasional publication 22, 26p. and Hitchmough, R. (comp.) 2002 : New Zealand Threat Classification System lists–2002. Threatened species occasional publication 23, 210p. Department of Conservation) have been provided for listed species and sub-species (other than human introduced) where the DoC compilers have made an assessment. Some taxonomically indeterminate taxa not generally accepted as distinct, or yet to be published, are referred to in the DoC published list, but do not currently appear in the OSNZ recognised list.

The OSNZ acknowledges that the current deliberations of its Checklist Committee will probably result in a future list which may be significantly different in some respects to the one provided here. The present list will be completely revised and updated when the next edition of the OSNZ Checklist of the Birds of New Zealand becomes available.

To avoid any confusion in usage, persons choosing to use any name for a New Zealand bird which is not on this recognized list, should clearly indicate the published reference(s) for the name used.

Copyright in this list of bird names is owned by the OSNZ. The list may be reproduced free of charge in any format or media without requiring specific permission. This is subject to the material being reproduced accurately and in a non-derogatory manner and in a non-misleading context. Where the material is published or issued to others as part of a business venture, prior written permission to use it in this manner must be sought from the Secretary, OSNZ, PO Box 834, Nelson 7040.

The list is supplied on an ‘as is’ basis, without warranty of any kind, and the OSNZ will not accept liability for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages, losses or expenses howsoever arising and relating to the use, or lack of use, of the data and/or information in it. Any loss or damage incurred through the use of the data and/or information shall be the responsibility of the user. The OSNZ makes no express or implied warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of the data/information resource or its suitability for any purpose.

The Recognised list of bird names is provided as a downloadable Excel sheet held in 5.0/95 & 97-2000 format (BIRDCHECKLIST). It may also be viewed on the website in non-downloadable picture format for quick reference.

To help the understanding of the different parts of the list presentation, the screen background view is colour coded, and the text is in either black or red –
Green/black – represents all parts of the OSNZ Recognized List;
White/black – gives a coded (key below) and summarized distribution and status (assessed by the OSNZ compilers) for each taxon in the New Zealand region;
Yellow/red – gives the DoC Threat Classifications and qualifiers (key below).

Key to Distribution and Status

# Found within land area of North, South & Stewart Islands
C Inshore islands and waters
O Oceanic, outer islands, Antarctica

E Endemic – breeds only in New Zealand territories
I Introduced by human agency
S Straggler – an irregular visitor
V Rare Vagrant – transitory and unexpected
X Probably extinct
Z Extinct / fossil

Key to DoC Threat Classification

1 Nationally Critical
2 Nationally Endangered
3 Nationally Vulnerable
4 Serious Decline
5 Gradual Decline
6 Sparse
7 Range Restricted
N Not Threatened
C Colonizer
M Migrant
V Vagrant
E Extinct

Key to DoC Threat Classification Qualifiers

EW Extinct in the Wild (exists only in captivity)
CD Conservation Dependent (Likely to move to a higher threat category if current management ceases)
DP Data Poor (Confidence in listing is low due to poor data available for assessment)
RC Recovering (Total population showing a sustained recovery)
ST Stable (Total population stable)
SO Secure Overseas (Secure in other parts of its natural range outside New Zealand)
TO Threatened Overseas (Threatened in those parts of its natural range outside of New Zealand)
HI Human Induced (Present distribution is a result of direct or indirect human activity)
RF Recruitment Failure (Current population may appear stable, but age structure is such that catastrophic declines are likely in the future)
EF Extreme Fluctuations ( Extreme unnatural population fluctuations, or natural fluctuations overlaying human-induced declines, that increase the threat of extinction)
OL One Location (Found at one location [geographically or ecologically distinct area] at which a single event [e.g. a predator irruption] could soon affect all individuals of the taxon).

Turbott, E.G. (Convenor). 1990. Checklist of the Birds of New Zealand and the Ross Dependency, Antarctica. Random Century & Ornithological Society of New Zealand.

Molloy, J.; Bell, B.; Clout, M.; de Lange, P.; Gibbs, G.; Given, G.; Norton, D.; Smith, N.; Stephens, T. 2002 : Classifying species according to the threat of extinction. A System for New Zealand. Threatened species occasional publication 22, 26p. Department of Conservation, Wellington.

Hitchmough, R. (comp.) 2002 : New Zealand Threat Classification System lists–2002. Threatened species occasional publication 23, 210p. Department of Conservation, Wellington.

The OSNZ acknowledges the financial assistance of the Terrestrial and Freshwater Biodiversity Information System (TFBIS) Programme towards the preparation of this list. The TFBIS Programme is funded by the Government to specifically help achieve outcomes in the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy, and is administered by the Department of Conservation. The purpose of the TFBIS Programme is to support the conservation of New Zealand’s indigenous biodiversity by increasing awareness of, and access to, data and information about indigenous biodiversity and how to conserve it.

Compiled by C.J.R. Robertson & D. G. Medway, for the Ornithological Society of New Zealand Inc.
June 2003.

Introduction - as above