Introduction

There is a scarcity of native bird-life in many of New Zealand's populated and developed areas, both town and country. Although we cannot return New Zealand to its original state, the fact that native birds are seen in urban areas shows that some species can live in situations differing greatly from their original habitats. Provided that there are suitable conditions, some native birds can adapt readily and live in the heart of our largest cities.

Like all living creatures, birds rely on certain requirements to survive. Should any one requirement be missing, no matter how abundant the rest, life is impossible.

Of the various things people can do to make conditions favourable for native birds, the planting of suitable trees and shrubs is the most effective. Directly or indirectly, trees and shrubs provide many of the birds basic requirements – food, shelter, escape cover and nesting places.

When combined with pest control during breeding, tree planting can help to dramatically lift bird numbers.

Living requirements Back to Top

During the last hundred years or so profound changes to the New Zealand landscape have made life impossible, or precarious, for many native birds. The preservation of original habitats, as in national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserves, has, in many cases, halted the decline of native birdlife. A total reliance on this form of protection, however, places our birds in the same category as those specimens found in zoos or museums. People should not have to visit specially designated areas to see New Zealands natural wild inhabitants.

Native birds back Back to Top

The following list of native birds are still found in and around cities and towns, and although numbers have dwindled over the years, access to their favourite foods in gardens, reserves and other areas planted with suitable trees and shrubs could see their numbers increase.

Tui
Nectar, berries and insects
Fantail (piwakawaka)
Eats mainly small insects caught on the wing, but occasionally caterpillars and spiders.
Grey warbler (riroriro)
Small insects and spiders are taken mainly from outermost leaves and branches.
Tereru (N.Z. Pigeon)
Leaves of willows, tree lucerne, blossoms of a kowhai and berries of tawa, miro, hinau, puriri, mikau, supplejack.
Shining cuckoo(pipiwharauroa)
Insects, including the caterpillars of the magpie moth, scale insects and plum and pear slugs.

Who can plant back Back to Top

You do not have to own land to enjoy the satisfaction of planting a tree and watching it grow. Local authorities, government departments and private landowners will welcome assistance with tree planting if they have suitable land available. Although landowners or controlling authorities appreciate the need for tree planting, they do not always have the resources to undertake this type of development. Look around for unused land in your district, find out who owns it and offer your services. If you can organise a community effort, so much the better.

Where to plant back Back to Top

Any locality has an abundance of small wasteland areas that could support trees or shrubs: road verges, cuttings and embankments, gullies, steep hillside, disused gravel pits, stream banks, quarries, etc. There are all kinds of odd corners that could be made more attractive and turned into good bird habitats. Each planted area may be small but, together, they can provide the variety and distribution of essential requirements needed to support native birdlife. Apart from wasteland there may be room for more trees and shrubs to be planted in areas such as school grounds, sports fields, hospital gardens, etc. Public domains and reserves can be made more attractive to birds by additional planting and farmers can plant hedgerows and shelterbelts to serve a dual purpose.

Obtaining plants back Back to Top

Many of the plants listed here are obtainable from commercial nurseries or local authorities. You could even raise your own plants from seed or cuttings, either as an individual or as a member of a group. Perhaps local schools, scouts and guides or other youth groups may be prepared to do this.

An entire community could participate by way of different groups undertaking different stages of a planting project. Alternatively, groups may prefer to make themselves responsible for a particular area and carry out all the stages themselves, ie raising the plants, preparing the ground, planting and then the ongoing maintenance.

Eventually, all sections of the community will benefit, for suitable trees and shrubs not only increase birdlife, locally, but they add greater variety and beauty to the landscape.

What to plant Back to Top

Any tree or shrub is of value to some kind of bird, but to get the best possible results from planting we have to be selective. Ideally the trees we plant should provide a year-round food supply for birds. Planting a sufficient variety of trees, particularly for fruit and nectar-feeding birds will also supply requirements including food for insect and seed-eating birds.

Tree and shrub selection is, of course, influenced by local climate and conditions. The advice of local horticulturists should be sought.

The following list is intended as a general guide to some of the more important food-bearing species, ranging from tall trees to prostrate shrubs.

Aristotelia serrata* (wineberry) 6m
Blackish-red, currant-like berries in late summer.

Clianthus puniceus* (kaka beak) 2m
Attractive spreading shrub with masses of vivid red flowers Nov-Dec.

Coprosma spp.*
More than 50 New Zealand species of tall or prostrate shrubs that fruit profusely over an extended period. Of the taller species (3-8m) C.lucida (shiny karamu), C.robusta (karamu) and C.repens (taupata) are particularly valuable. C.rhamnoides grows to 2m and has crimson berries. The cultivated hybrids C.kirkii and C.prostrata are prostrate forms.

Corokia spp.
Shrubs growing to 2m.
C.buddleioides, dark red berries. C.cotoneaster, yellow, orange or red berries. C.macrocarpa, large yellow berries.

Corynocarpus laevigatus (karaka) 15m
Coastal tree with massed, large, orange fruits late summer.

Dysoxylum spectabile (kohekohe) 12m
Flowers directly from trunk or branches in creamy-white sprays in winter, up to 40cm long. Fruits ripen July-Aug.

Fuchsia excorticata, (tree fuchsia) 10m
One of the few native deciduous trees. Flowers Aug-Dec. Berries (konini) ripen Dec-Mar. Likes damp situations.

Fuchsia procumbens*
Prostrate tailing shrub for rock gardens; bright rosy-pink berries.

Fuchsia perscandens
Climbing shrub with dark purple berries.

Hedycarya arborea (pigeonwood) 10m
Aromatic tree, flowering Oct-Dec. Berries (red) ripen Oct-Dec the following year.

Melicytus spp
Hardy small trees or low bushy shrubs which mostly have purple-flecked, white berries in profusion in winter. M.crassifolia and M.alpina re low-growing compact bushes; M.chathamica, and some forms of M.obovata and M.novae-zelandiae, are taller shrubs.

Melicytus ramiflorus* (mahoe, whitey wood)10m
Small greenish-yellow flowers and violet blue berries. Flowers Nov-Jan.

Knightia exxcelsa (rewarewa, NewZealand honey-suckle) 27m slender tapering tree, flowers provide nectar Oct-Nov.

Macropiper excelsum*(kawakawa) 6m
Suitable for shady situations. Orange-yellow fruit favoured by pigeons.

Melicope ternata (wharangi)6m
Greenish flowers Sep-Oct, black shiny seeds.

Metrosideros excelsa(pohutukawa)20m
Metrosideros kermadecensis (Kermadec pohutukawa)15m
Extended flowering season, including winter.

Metrosideros fulgens
Climber, orange-red flowers, winter flowering.

Metrosideros rubusta (northern rata) 27m

Metrosideros umbellata (southern rata)18m

Myrsine australis (red matipo, mapou)6m
Small white flowers Dec-Feb. Black berries.

Pennantia corymbosa (kaikomako) 9m
Tree with black fruits Jan-April.

Phormium tenax* (NewZealand flax)
Red flowers producing copious quantities of nectar Nov-Jan.

Pittosporum spp.*
Attractive small trees and shrubs supplying nectar and seeds.

P.eugenioides (tarata, lemonwood), and
P.tenuifolium are especially hardy

Prumnopitys ferruginea (miro) 25m
Large red fruits ripening in winter.

Pseudopanax spp.
Mostly hardy shrubs and small trees with attractive foliage and umbels of small black fruits. P.arboreus (five-finger), P.lessonii (houpara, coastal five-finger) P.crassifolius (lancewood), P.laetus, and hybrids between some of these, are recommended.

Schefflera digitata (pate) 6m
Flowering Feb-Mar, purplish black fruit ripening Mar-Apr following year.

Sophora microphylla (kowhai) 9m
Sophora tetraptera (kowhai) 12m
This kowhai is an important source of nectar in early spring.

Passiflora tetrandra* (New Zealand passion flower)
Climber, handsome orange-coloured fruit summer and autumn.

Vilex lucens (puriri) 18m
Pink or red flowers and fruit for much of the year.

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