Description: Brightly coloured blue-green bird with light orange breast and sharp powerful beak. More often seen away from water and perhaps eats more insects, worms, lizards than fish. Known to kill small birds such as . Uses the beak to excavate a nest hole in rotten trees or banks. Harsh repeated "kek-kek-kek" call heard more often when breeding.

Habitat: Commonly seen sitting motionless on roadside powerlines, watching for prey. In winter many of our kingfishers migrate to the coast and may be seen feeding on fish and small crabs from rock pools.

Description: Soaring singing small brown bird of open country and pastures. May display small crest when seen perching in profile (a feature not seen in ).

Habitat: Commonly seen as a small dot singing as it hovers high above the nesting territory.

Description: Fast-flying small forktailed blue black bird with orange red face and throat. Numbers have exploded since the 1960s when breeding was first recorded in the Wairarapa. A welcome migrant from Australia as its presence has in no way jeopardised existence of our other aerial feeding, predominantly insectivorous bird () which prefers forests and gardens. Their open mud nests are stuck onto rough vertical walls of culverts, bridges and buildings. They can have 3 clutches a year.

Habitat: Swallows chase and catch aerial insects over open country and water.

Size: 15 cm

Description: Similar in appearance and size to but behaviour very different. Tends to run away instead of flying off (as does ) when approached and when it does fly usually only goes a short distance before alighting. Has a longer tail than and frequently flicks it up and down. Not a songster, but has a harsh "swee" call.

Habitat: Usually in pairs on shingle river beds or gravel road margins. Widely distributed from coast to alpine meadows. But does not live in cultivated land or farm pastures like .

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