Birds of the Wairarapa and where to see them
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Field guide to the birds of Greytown Park

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Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella)

Description: Our only common widespread yellow bird. Both sexes show yellow face and head, and upper parts brown, but male is much the brighter. Male song traditionally described as "little bit of bread and no cheese", often repeated monotonously. Ground feeder, in winter frequently seen in flocks where hay has been fed out on paddocks. Nest on or close to ground in a tangle of vegetation. The pale pinkish eggs are covered with purple-red scribbles.

Habitat: Seen usually in hedgerows, scrubland and open country.


Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs)

Description: Sparrow-sized finch with conspicuous white on black wings. Male is attractive with grey-blue crown and back of neck, pinkish orange cheeks and underparts and brown back. Female is mainly soft brown but also has white bars on dark wings. Nest is a neat open cup often in notch between trunk and a branch and is beautifully camouflaged with lichen.

Habitat: Commonly seen in parks and gardens. May be seen in flocks in winter in open country.


Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)

Description: A brightly coloured finch which was introduced from Europe. Small, with crimson face, light brown back, light underparts with bright yellow bars on black wings. A seed and insect eater fond of thistle and often feeds on marigold and other flower seedheads in gardens. Commonly nest in fruit trees. Has an attractive almost canary-like song.

Habitat: Commonly seen in farmland, parks and gardens, frequently in large winter flocks.


Greenfinch (Cardeulis chloris)

Description: A sturdy olive-green finch with powerful beak (for seed crushing) and prominent yellow flashes on side of wings and tail. Male has a harsh repeated, rather drawn out "dzee" call.

Habitat: Will seek out and feed on ripe sunflowers in gardens, and in winter large flocks may be seen feeding in paddocks and open country on weed and other seeds.


Redpoll (Carduelis flammea)

Description: Our smallest finch, a brown streaked bird with crimson forehead and black chin. Male colour much brighter than female and also developes a rosy breast when breeding. During breeding, look for their distinctive undulating nuptual flights with frequent "bizzzt" calls. May be seen feeding on ground on grass seeds in company with . Found in farmland, orchards, parks and gardens. May be seen in flocks, when weed infested paddocks are seeding.

Habitat:


House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

Description: This small chattering gregarious bird is almost always associated with humans and their habitation and grain growing areas. It is distributed worldwide. The male has brown upper parts streaked with black, greyish white underparts with a black apron. The female has softer brown upper parts with grey white plumage underneath. Build untidy often quite bulky enclosed nests high in trees or buildings.

Habitat: Commonly seen in flocks and the first birds to appear if you scatter bread on a lawn.


Starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

Description: An apparently black bird whose plumage glistens with iridescent greens and purples in sunlight. Readily distinguished from by its swaggering walk as opposed to 's hopping gait. Commonly seen on lawns or pastures especially after rain when grass grubs more accessible. Huge flocks wheel in unison like vast moving black clouds especially over their winter roosts, which can comprise over 20,000 birds. Noisy chattering birds which can become good mimics.


Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina hypoleuca)

Description: Prominent black and white crow-like bird. Aggressive and may physically attack humans and if either venture close to their nests. Unprotected since 1991 and commonly trapped or shot as a pest. Kill and eat small birds and take their eggs. Native species increase in numbers when magpies are eliminated. Best feature of this bird is its flute-like morning carolling.

Habitat: Motor in the country and you could easily believe these large black and white birds were our commonest bird. They are very obvious in family groups foraging on pasture.

Size: 40 cm


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