New Zealand is home to a wide variety of native bird species, many of which are endangered or threatened. There are several non-profit organizations and charities dedicated to protecting and conserving New Zealand’s native birds. These organizations work to fund research, carry out conservation initiatives, raise awareness about threats to birds, and provide care and rehabilitation to sick, injured and orphaned birds. Some key bird charities active in New Zealand include Forest & Bird, Kiwi Conservation Club, Kea Conservation Trust, Native Bird Recovery Charitable Trust, and Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust.
Forest & Bird
Forest & Bird is New Zealand’s largest independent conservation organization. The organization was formed in 1923 in response to declining native bird populations caused by hunting and deforestation. Forest & Bird advocates for the protection of native forests, the control of invasive species, and the preservation of rare and endangered birds. They carry out campaigns, provide legal assistance in conservation battles, monitor endangered species, and acquire land for restoration and protection. Some of their key projects related to native birds include:
- Kiwi recovery programs – Forest & Bird supports community-led kiwi conservation projects and advocates for more predator control to protect kiwi.
- Seabird restoration – Projects aiming to remove predators from breeding colonies and establish new colonies for endangered seabirds like penguins and albatrosses.
- Backyard trapping – Encouraging households to set up rat and possum traps to create safe zones for birds.
- Native forest regeneration – Replanting native forest provides habitat for many bird species.
Forest & Bird has over 70,000 members and supporters nationwide. They receive funding from membership fees, donations, grants and sponsorships.
Kiwi Conservation Club
The Kiwi Conservation Club is an organization established specifically to engage children in hands-on kiwi conservation efforts. They aim to build the next generation of kiwi guardians through education programs and opportunities to get involved with incubation and release of kiwi chicks. The club has over 30 branches across New Zealand. Membership costs $20 per year. Activities include:
- Helping monitor kiwi through radio-tracking and burrow-scoping.
- Raising funds to sponsor the release of kiwi chicks.
- Creating and checking kiwi tracking tunnels.
- Assisting with kiwi post-mortems to learn about threats.
- Building backyard kiwi zones free of predators.
The club provides an avenue for children to learn about the endangered national icon and positively contribute to kiwi recovery efforts nationwide.
Kea Conservation Trust
The Kea Conservation Trust is dedicated to protecting New Zealand’s native mountain parrot, the inquisitive and intelligent kea. Kea are killed by introduced mammalian predators and lead poisoning from ingesting lead nails and flashing on building roofs. The trust carries out research, monitors wild kea populations, rehabilitates injured kea, and advocates for conservation policies and funding. Their key initiatives include:
- Nationwide kea population monitoring.
- Research on kea nesting success and survival.
- Investigating the impact of lead on kea.
- Advocating for replacing lead materials on buildings in alpine areas.
- Working with backcountry hut operators to install kea-proof waste systems.
- Rehabilitating and releasing injured kea.
The trust relies on donations and grants to fund their important work saving New Zealand’s mountain parrot.
Native Bird Recovery Charitable Trust
The Native Bird Recovery Charitable Trust focuses on hands on action for some of New Zealand’s rarest native bird species that exist only in small populations on offshore island sanctuaries. Their mission is to expand existing populations and establish new populations. They carry out captive breeding programs for species like the South Island saddleback, stitchbird, little spotted kiwi and kakapo. Other efforts include:
- Translocating birds to new predator-free islands.
- Building new breeding facilities and aviaries.
- Developing incubation techniques.
- Rearing chicks and releasing juveniles.
- Managing populations on sanctuary islands.
- Researching behavior and ecology.
The trust provides the expertise, facilities and workforce required to restore populations of the most critically endangered New Zealand birds.
Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust
The Wingspan Birds of Prey Trust operates a raptor rehabilitation and conservation center near Rotorua. The trust cares for sick and injured native birds of prey found across New Zealand, with the goal of rehabilitating and releasing them back to the wild. The birds cared for include native hawks, falcons, owls and the endangered karearea (New Zealand falcon). Their work includes:
- 24 hour emergency response for grounded raptors.
- Veterinary assessments and care for injured birds.
- Rehabilitation enclosures to house birds during recovery.
- Fitness training in flight aviaries.
- Breeding threatened species for release.
- Educating visitors at their raptor center.
The trust fills an important niche caring for New Zealand’s birds of prey. They rely on donations, grants, corporate sponsorships and admission fees to fund their rehabilitation work.
How You Can Support Bird Charities
Here are some ways you can help support the work of bird conservation charities in New Zealand:
- Make a donation – Donating to one of the charities directly enables them to fund more conservation work.
- Sponsor a kiwi – Sponsoring the cost of incubation and release of a kiwi chick.
- Volunteer your time – Many charities welcome volunteers to help with field work.
- Join as a member – Become a member and add your voice to campaign efforts.
- Buy merchandise – Purchase t-shirts, calendars etc with proceeds going to charity.
- Leave a gift in your will – Consider leaving a gift in your will to fund long-term projects.
- Adopt a bird – Adopt a bird being rehabilitated and support their care.
Every little bit helps contribute to ensuring New Zealand retains diverse and thriving bird populations. Check out the websites of the conservation charities to see how you can get involved.
Major Threats Facing NZ Birds
Unfortunately New Zealand’s amazing array of endemic birds face many threats and challenges. Underlying most threats are two key factors – habitat loss and the impact of introduced predators. Major threats include:
Habitat Loss and Fragmentation
Since humans arrived in New Zealand, over 90% of the original native forest cover has been cleared. This destroys habitat and fragments the remaining habitat, leaving forest remnants that are too small to support diverse bird populations. Habitat loss continues on private land.
Predation by Invasive Mammals
Mammals introduced to NZ like rats, stoats, possums, ferrets and feral cats prey heavily upon native bird species. Flightless birds and ground nesters are especially vulnerable. Predation has wiped out populations and caused many extinctions.
Competition from Invasive Birds
Introduced bird species such as sparrows, mynahs and blackbirds compete with native birds for food, nesting sites and other resources. They contribute to declines in native bird numbers.
Disease
Avian malaria and exotic parasites introduced with invasive species have caused the loss of some species like the native mohua. Disease is a major threat to populations with low genetic diversity.
Human Disturbance
Human activities like pollution, roads, trails, structures and noise in wilderness areas can degrade habitats and disturb breeding success. For example, kea nesting near human activity have very low breeding success.
Climate Change
Climate change will bring challenges like altered habitats, food availability and migratory patterns. Seabirds are particularly vulnerable to storms, food web changes and sea level rise impacting breeding colonies.
Case Study: Saving the Kakapo
The kakapo is a giant flightless parrot endemic to New Zealand. It suffered a huge population decline due to predation by introduced mammals and currently only survives in a few managed island sanctuaries. Intensive conservation efforts have prevented their extinction.
Threats
The kakapo was once widespread across NZ but declined due to:
- Habitat loss as native forests were cleared.
- Predation by cats, rats, stoats and ferrets.
- Competition with introduced birds.
- Hunting by early human settlers.
By the 1990s only 50 kakapo remained, confined to Stewart Island.
Conservation Actions
- All kakapo relocated to predator-free offshore islands.
- Intensive predator control on the sanctuary islands.
- Radio-tagging and monitoring of every individual.
- Supplementary feeding to improve breeding.
- Nest guardian volunteers protect eggs and chicks.
- Incubation of eggs in climate controlled incubators.
- Hand-rearing of chicks.
- Genetic management of the population.
Outcomes
- The kakapo population has increased to 213 birds (October 2021).
- Breeding success is gradually improving with intensive management.
- They remain critically endangered but extinction has been prevented.
The kakapo recovery program shows that even the most endangered species can be saved with intensive management. However, it requires a huge and ongoing effort.
Table of Major Bird Conservation Organizations
Organization | Focus | Activities |
---|---|---|
Forest & Bird | General native bird conservation | Advocacy, campaigns, protected areas, community projects |
Kiwi Conservation Club | Involving kids in kiwi conservation | Field trips, sponsoring chicks, predator control |
Kea Conservation Trust | Kea research and advocacy | Research, population monitoring, education |
Native Bird Recovery Trust | Island bird translocations | Captive breeding, translocations, population management |
Wingspan Birds of Prey | Bird of prey rehabilitation | Rescue, veterinary care, rehabilitation, release |
Conclusion
New Zealand has a diverse range of endemic bird species found nowhere else on earth. Many of these unique birds are threatened or endangered due to human-induced changes to the environment. A network of conservation organizations works hard to protect forest habitats, control predators, breed threatened species in captivity and raise awareness. All New Zealanders and global citizens should support these efforts to ensure the survival of rare birds like kiwi, kakapo, kea, kokako, mohua and many others. With hard work and dedication, the downward trend in native bird populations can be reversed. But it will take a combined effort from government, local communities, dedicated charities and passionate individuals to make sure future generations can also hear the birdsong of Aotearoa.