Introduced birds arrived in Aotearoa with pakeha settlers. Around 130 new bird species, mostly European birds, were released into New Zealand. Not all introduced birds survived in their new land but 41 species managed to settle and multiply. 

Many of these introduced birds are found in our cities and towns. Most don’t help pollinate our native forests. They may compete for scarce food resources or threaten the survival of our unique flora and fauna. Some, like the mallard duck interbreed with their endemic relation the grey duck, threatening its very existence.

The introduced birds in my ‘hood can be found below.