OTEHEI BAY FERRY "EXPLORE" TO TIRITIRI MATANGA ISLAND SCIENTIFIC RESERVE, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

TUI, MOUNT EDEN, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

   We can ID this bird as a Tui by its filamentous white feathers on the nape and sides of neck; white feather tuft on throat; brown upper back and flanks with a bronze sheen; iridescent blue tail and wings and almost-black head.

   The Tui is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 719.

NEW ZEALAND PIGEON OR KERERU, MOUNT EDEN, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

   We can ID this pigeon as a New Zealand Pigeon or Kereru (the Maori name for this pigeon) by its large size; iridescent purple-green head, throat and wings with patches of bronze; white underparts and red bill with orangish tip (if you look closely you can see the color difference).

   The New Zealand Pigeon is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 718. 

MALE EUROPEAN BLACKBIRD, MOUNT EDEN, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

   We can ID this bird as a European Blackbird  (also called just Blackbird) by its all jet black plumage, bright orange bill and orbital ring and dark iris.

   The European Blackbird is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 717.

EUROPEAN GOLDFINCH, MOUNT EDEN, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

   Even though we can't see this birds head and face,  we can still  ID this bird as a European Goldfinch (also just called Goldfinch) by its conspicuous yellow bars on its black wings, white rump and abdomen, brown upperparts  (if you look closely you can see a small portion of the brown back) and black tail tipped with white. 

   The European Goldfinch is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 716.