New Zealand Scaup
Aythya novaeseelandiae
New Zealand endemic diving duck. Widely but patchily distributed throughout North and South Islands; not found on Stewart Island, and no longer present on Chatham Islands. Unlike any other resident duck species. Compact and dark; floats on water with cork-like buoyancy, showing bath-toy duck silhouette. Forms large flocks, often congregating in sheltered areas near willows or reed beds. Spends a lot of time underwater, where it can travel considerable distances. Sexes alike but distinguishable. Male has dark black plumage, iridescent blue-green head and wings, and yellow iris. Female is duller brown with brown iris. Flies with very fast wingbeats, often just above the water’s surface. Vagrant Hardhead differs in its white iris, white undertail, and white “saddle” on bill.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Aythya novaeseelandiae
- Authority
- (Gmelin, JF, 1789)
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus
- Aythya
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Rufous-bellied Kookaburra
Dacelo gaudichaud
A distinctive large kingfisher of lowland forest. Black cap, white collar, blue wing and rump, and rufous belly. Found in the understorey where it scans for its prey of lizards and insects. Superficially similar to the much rarer Shovel-billed Kookaburra, but Rufous-bellied Kookaburra has a blue rather than brown wing, and a longer, paler bill. Several different vocalizations. Call, a repeated, harsh, loud “rek!” note given while flicking its tail slightly; and a hollow rolling call given whilst lifting its tail right up.
Black Noddy
Anous minutus
A medium-sized black tern with a tail that appears square or slightly forked. Smaller and darker than Brown Noddy with a shorter tail, thinner bill, and more contrasting white cap. Uniformly black back, wings and tail, and dark legs, except on the main Hawaiian islands where tail and rump are grayish and feet and legs are bright orange. Nests on coastal cliffs, in sea caves, and in trees. More often seen in groups than Brown Noddy. Often seen from shore.
Black-billed Woodhoopoe
Phoeniculus somaliensis
An odd, long-tailed, slender-billed bird. Adults have a black bill, red legs, and blue or purple gloss when seen in good light. Found in dry country, often in fairly lush woodland along rivers. Always in groups, normally of 4-10 members. Similar to Green and Violet Woodhoopoes, but there is little overlap in range, and adults are separated by their black rather than orange bills. Immatures can be confusing, but are normally seen with adults. Also similar to Black Scimitarbill, but much larger, with a longer, floppier, and more triangular tail. The distinctive song starts with a rattling series, then builds into a maniacal cackling, given by a whole group in chorus.
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