As well as common introduced species, the forest of Arthur's Pass has good numbers of native birds. Fantails, Tomtits and Riflemen are all fairly common if a walker keeps an eye & ear out. Bellbirds are more often heard than seen, announcing themselves with a wide range of calls from lovely musical scales to harsh repetitive cries of alarm.

Grey Warblers often occur in pairs, with Silvereyes and Brown Creepers more likely to be encountered in noisy chattering flocks. Tomtits seem to be inquisitive about trampers, the male easily distinguished from the grey-brown female by a stiking black head and yellow breast.

Common also are the tiny (8 cm), almost tail-less Riflemen, squeaking away as they probe the bark of trees for insects. Little Grey Warblers often occur in pairs, but both Silvereyes and Brown Creepers are more likely to be encountered in noisy chattering flocks.

Much less common are the Parakeets and Yellowheads, both of which live in the eastern forests. Yellowheads are now considered a threatened species, and the northernmost population of any size is within Arthur's Pass National Park. The species have now disappeared from virtually all of Nelson, Marlborough, and North and Central Westland. The nearest sizeable population is in the Landsborough Valley in South Westland. Within the park the largest group we knows of is in the Hawdon Valley where an estimated 60-80 birds live. Any reported sightings of Yellowheads in any areas of the park would be welcomed at the Visitior Centre.

Several larger birds inhabit the forests. Great Spotted Kiwi (Roa) are present both sides of the Main Divide but, like all Kiwi are nocturnal. Although rarely seen they are often heard calling at night, even quite close to Arthur's Pass village. Moreporks, another nocturnal bird, are also heard calling at night in the Park. There are also several rare and endangered birds in the Park such as Whio (Blue Duck) and Great Spotted Kiwi (Roaroa).

Endemic Species

Introduced Species

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Rock Wren

Although the Rock Wren is the only true alpine bird in New Zealand, both the pipit and kea spend time amongst the higher basins and rocky ridges. For the pipit, the alpine zone is the highest of a wide range of habitats. Kea are not that common on the tops but are highly conspicuous.

Rock Wrens are very secretive, not just because of their small size and remote habitat, but also because of their ground-feeding habits and limited flight. Bobbing vigorously, they feed on insects, fruit, alpine plants and have a three-note call and thin pipe. A globular nest of moss and lichen, lined with feathers, is built in a crevice and 1-5 white eggs are laid. Both parents feed the young. In winter they appear to vanish altogether, but probably live in rock crevices under vegetation or an insulating cover of snow.

Wrens frequent open rock and talus slopes at altitudes of 750-2,500 m. The best place to see wrens in Arthurs Pass is in the Temple Basin area. The last confirmed sighting was about 15 minutes walk up the Temple Basin track from the car park. They were seen on the terrace where the concrete seat is and the four-wheel drive track changes to the walking track.

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Download the Braided River Field Guide (1.72MB).

From the river valleys on the eastern side of the Park, large flat braided riverbeds have been formed. These riverbeds are constantly changing, with rainfall in the mountains washing shingle and debris down. Many special birds live in the riverbeds either for the whole year or on a seasonal basis.

While walking down these riverbeds as part of a tramp you are likely to see many different species of birds.

The Paradise Shelduck pair up for life and are often seen. The male has a black head and the female has a white head, both have a very noisy call.

Large Black-backed Gulls also inhabit these inland valleys throughout the year. A fairly recent arrival on the river flats is the Spur-winged Plover, an Australian immigrant easily recognised by the bright yellow colour of its bill and face wattles. Common too are Swamp Harrier Hawks, a familiar sight along the highway as they glide thermal currents, perch on fence-posts or pick at the carcasses of the wildlife road-toll.

Regular migrant beeders arrive in spring and these include South Island Pied Oystercatchers, Black-fronted Terns, Banded Dotterels and Canada Geese. The Oystercatchers (August-December) arrive and depart earlier than the terns (September-January), both breeding only on the inland riverbeds and lake shores of the eastern South Island high country, after which they return to the coasts. The oystercatchers, terns and dotterels usually nest in a gravel scrape in the riverbed. They are very susceptable to summer floods. After beeding here they rejoin other birds down on the coast, and some may then migrate as far away as Australia.

Canada Geese are the largest bird of the summer migrants, breeding in grassy valleys and near high country lakes, before they return to lowland lakes for the winter.

Endemic Species

Introduced Species

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