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Australasian Gannet
(Takapu)
Morus serrator
When hunting it's prey of small fish, this awesome bird dives
with wings partly folded from as high as 30m. The birds stretch
their wings full back just before impact, often entering the
water at speeds up to 145 km/hr.
91 cm |
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Royal Albatross (Toroa)
Diomeda epomophora sanfordi
Often seen off the Kaikoura coast with some nesting on Tairoa
Heads near Dunedin. True masters of flight they cover vast areas
of ocean feeding on squid and surface fish. Grows to 130 cm. |
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Blue
Penguin (Koroa)
Eudyptula minor
The smallest of the penguins, they are often seen in the coastal
waters of New Zealand. Timid birds, they dive when approached.
They come ashore at night to roost or when nesting. Main diet,
crustaceans and small fish. 40 cm. |
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Cape Pigeon
Daption capense
Common in South Island coastal
waters during winter. Nests in Antarctic regions & Snares
Islands.
Grows to 40 cm |
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Godwits
(Kuaka)
Limosa lapponica baueri
Migrate from Eastern Siberia and Alaska in September,
returning there in March. Inhabit mud flats or estuaries
feeding on marine worms, mollusks and crustaceans. Visit Kaikoura
during migrations. 40 cm. |
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Pied
Shag (Karuhiruhi)
Phalacrocorax varius varius
Inhabits sheltered coastal waters. Often seen on rocks
with wings outspread to dry. Groups perch and nest in tall trees.
Excellent divers they feed on fish, especially eels and flounders.
Common around Kaikoura.
81cm. |
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Spotted
Shag (Parekareka)
Stictocarbo punctatus punctatus
Common around coastal waters they nest on cliffs or
large rock outcrops. Diving from the surface, they feed on crustaceans
and small fish, often ranging far out to sea. 73cm. |
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Sooty Shearwater
Puffinus griseus
A common seabird around New Zealand,
also known as "Mutton bird" by the maoris. They nest
in burrows mainly on offshore islands. Grows to 43 cm. |
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Variable Oyster Catcher
Haematopus unicolour
Inhabits sandy beaches and rocky
shores throughout New Zealand. Being polymorphic they appear
in pied, black and intermediate plummages. Grows to 48 cm. |
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White-fronted
Terns (Tara)
Sterna striata
Commonest tern in NZ coastal waters they are sometimes seen
nesting amongst seagull colonies around the peninsula. Many
migrate to Australia in
Autumn. 42cm. |
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Yellow-eyed Penguin
(Hoiho)
Megadyptus antipodes
Listed as the world's rarest penguin, they are extremely timid.
Sometimes seen at sea off the East Coast they come ashore at
night to nest or during moult. Food consists of squid and fish.
76 cm. |
