Top ten species in New Zealand gardens
Only two native species (silvereye and fantail) featured in the top 10 birds in New Zealand gardens in 2007. The tui was 11th, bellbird 15th, kereru (kukupa or New Zealand pigeon) 18th, and grey warbler 21st. Eight of the top 10 birds in New Zealand gardens were introduced species, and five of these also featured among the top 10 birds in UK gardens in 2007.
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1. SilvereyeThe silvereye (also known as wax-eye or white-eye) was the species recorded in greatest numbers in New Zealand gardens in 2007 (average 10.2 per garden). Furthermore, it was detected in 81% of gardens, the third most widespread species. It was much more common in gardens where birds were fed than where they were not. |
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2. House sparrowThe house sparrow was the 2nd most abundant species recorded in New Zealand gardens (9.4 per garden) and most abundant in UK gardens (4.4 per garden) in 2007. Note that it was much more abundant in New Zealand gardens than in UK gardens. It was detected in 86% of New Zealand gardens, the second most widespread species. It was much more common in gardens where birds were fed than where they were not. |
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3. StarlingThe starling was the 3rd most abundant species recorded in New Zealand gardens (3.1 per garden) and 2nd in UK gardens (3.7 per garden) in 2007. It was detected in 61% of New Zealand gardens, the fourth most widespread species. It was more common in gardens where birds were fed than where they were not. |
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4. BlackbirdThe blackbird was the 4th most abundant species recorded in New Zealand gardens (2.7 per garden) and 3rd in UK gardens (2.3 per garden) in 2007. It was detected in 90% of New Zealand gardens, more than any other species, but because there was an average of only 2.7 per garden the total number of blackbirds was lower than for the three species above. |
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5. GreenfinchThe greenfinch was the 5th most abundant species recorded in New Zealand gardens and 10th in UK gardens in 2007. Average numbers were the same in both countries (1.2 per garden). Greenfinches were detected in 24% of New Zealand gardens. They were much more common in gardens where birds were fed than where they were not. |
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6. Song thrushThe song thrush was the 6th most abundant species recorded in New Zealand gardens (0.98 per garden) but didn’t make the top 10 in UK gardens in 2007. It was detected in 52% of New Zealand gardens. |
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7. ChaffinchThe chaffinch was the 7th most abundant species recorded in New Zealand gardens and 5th in UK gardens in 2007. Surprisingly, the species was less common in New Zealand gardens (0.95 per garden) than in UK gardens (1.9 per garden). It was detected in 36% of New Zealand gardens. It was more common in gardens where birds were fed than where they were not. |
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8. GoldfinchThe goldfinch was the 8th most abundant species recorded in New Zealand gardens (0.87 per garden) and 11th in UK gardens in 2007. It was detected in 22% of New Zealand gardens. It is surprising it was not more abundant in gardens where birds were fed, but this may be an artefact of the number of rural versus urban gardens where it was detected. |
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9. FantailThe fantail was the 9th most abundant species recorded in New Zealand gardens (0.86 per garden) in 2007. It was detected in 42% of gardens. |
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10. DunnockThe dunnock (or hedgesparrow) was the 10th most abundant species recorded in New Zealand gardens (0.79 per garden) and 12th in UK gardens in 2007. It was detected in 28% of New Zealand gardens. |