Birds
Fire: Not just a human tool
A new paper has collected accounts from witnesses in Australia of birds using fire to hunt prey. It's the first recorded phenomenon of non-humans using fire this way, but has been lore among… Audio
Good news for Kaikōura's Hutton shearwaters
The first ground visit to the Hutton's shearwater breeding colony since the November 2017 Kaikōura earthquake shows damage not as bad as feared. Audio
New signs warn motorists of low flying kererū
New traffic signs are reminding Wellington motorists to watch out for low flying kererū.
Kawau paka
Silent except at nesting colonies and during courtship, the little shag's greeting call is used when approaching the nest to change over or to bring food. Audio
Tawaki - the mysterious forest penguin
Scientists are discovering that tawaki, or Fiordland crested penguins, living in MIlford Sound are thriving - and breaking all the penguin rules. Audio
Our Changing World for 7 December 2017
Penguin researchers head to Fiordland's forests to study the mysterious tawaki or Fiordland crested penguin. Audio
Bird protection software
A network of wildlife sanctuaries has led to the reintroduction of many of New Zealand's native bird species, and now machine learning software could be an important tool in monitoring the survival of… Audio, Gallery
Flap battles: Tuneful rivals ruffle tui's feathers
Tui get more aggressive towards rivals who are better singers, Massey University researchers have discovered.
Protecting NZ's native birds of prey
Debbie Stewart has spent the last 3 decades protecting, and rehabilitating New Zealand's threatened birds of prey. She set up the Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre in Rotorua where she pioneered… Audio, Gallery
Science news: Bird maps and genes that heal
We're one step closer to understanding birds' amazing powers of navigation thanks to new research, and a DNA editing tool helps to identify the genes responsible for successful cancer therapy. Audio
One-dog proposal raises hackles in Far North
The district council is facing strong opposition over its one-dog-per-household proposal to protect threatened native birds.
A genetic helping hand for conservation
Four scientists talk about genetics and how it can help in the conservation of rare birds such as little spotted kiwi. Audio
Southern island sanctuary for rare birds
Putauhinu, one of the southern Tītī Islands, has become a remarkable rat-free sanctuary, gifting rare land birds to other islands. Video, Audio, Gallery
Andrew Digby - Kakapo cursed with crusty bum
Andrew Digby is the science advisor for the kakapo and takahe recovery programmes with the Department of Conservation. He is responsible for coordinating and leading the diverse scientific research… Audio
80% of NZ native birds in trouble
Eighty percent of New Zealand's native bird species are in trouble, with some teetering on the brink of extinction, according to a new report from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment… Audio
Our native birds are in trouble
The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has released a hard hitting report into the state of our country's native birds. Audio
Kororā
Listen to the world's smallest penguin, found on most of Aotearoa's coastline and known by many of their human neighbours for their interesting mating call. Audio
$10k reward draws 'Grey Ghost' sightings, recordings
The promise of $10,000 for proof of a South Island kōkako, long thought extinct, has attracted recordings and more than 50 possible sightings. Audio
Squawk Squad - Fraser McConnell & Alex Hannon
Squawk Squad is a start up which was born in a competition in Auckland last year and is going strong. The winning formula means that the public can join the fight in protecting native birds from… Audio
Kawau tūi
Listen to the little black shag, a gregarious species that forage co-operatively, herding and encircling shoals of small fish. Audio