New Ireland Munia

The largest living rail in the world, endemic to New Zealand. Considered extinct until it was famously rediscovered in the Murchison Mountains in 1948. The wild population remains in the Murchison Mountains; the species has been translocated to predator-free offshore islands and mainland sanctuaries, and recently reintroduced to northwest Kahurangi National Park. Note distinct iridescent plumage, white undertail, and huge bright red conical bill that extends onto the forehead. Often heard giving a quiet hooting contact call, or a muted boom. Australasian Swamphen (Pukeko) can look similar, but Takahe are much larger, can’t fly, and have no black on wings or back.

Uncommon, large, and spectacular bird of lowland tropical forest, mainly in wilder areas and not around human habitation. Most often seen soaring overhead in mid-late morning, often fairly high up with kettles of Black Vultures; rarely seen perched. Striking adult has a colorful head and neck, piercing white eyes, and mostly white plumage with a black trailing edge to the wings and tail. Immature is blackish overall and lacks the white wing markings of the smaller Black Vulture. Immature develops adult plumage over a few years with white appearing first on the belly and the underside of the wings.

Beautiful, glossy green-and-purple starling. There is a stripe through the eye that sometimes looks black and sometimes deep purple. Juveniles in the northern part of the range have a brown head and underparts, while southern juveniles have distinctive rufous underparts. In the south, found in broadleaf woodland, mainly miombo. In the north, uses a variety of savanna, brush, and woodland habitats. The song is a complex, chattering series, and the call is a vibrant rising note, which is often incorporated into the song. Very similar to Greater Blue-eared Starling, but smaller and shorter-tailed, with a thinner stripe through the eye. Also similar to Cape Starling, but has a dark eye-stripe and a purple belly, and is usually found in different habitat.