NEW ZEALAND BIRDING NETWORK

(Photo: Adam Scott Kennedy)

This endemic bird has five subspecies, each restricted to a single island and its outliers. This bird is the South Island subspecies punctata. They prefer wetland and scrubland habitats and are often difficult to see except in the breeding season when they call frequently to advertise their territories. Fernbirds tend to weave their way through low vegetation and only rarely fly from cover.


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