New Zealand birds in pictures / Kimball Chen.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Feathered wonders. Flight and design -- The marvel of migration -- Feather -- Origins. Endemics -- Natives -- Introduced and naturalised species -- The demands of life. Food and feeding -- Breeding -- Communication. Sophisticated songs -- Bird society -- Natural beauty. Intimate portraits -- Birdscapes -- A delicate balance. Habitats and ecosystems -- Conservation.

From the barely-visible wings of the flightless kiwi to the immense wingspan of the wandering albatross, New Zealand's fragile island ecosystem is home to a diverse array of spectacular birds. Delve into the fascinating world of our feathered friends with author and wildlife photographer Kimball Chen. From intimate portraits of endangered creatures and their glamorous breeding plumage, to dramatic wide-angle birdscapes encompassing rugged sub-antarctic habitats, to magical fleeting encounters of birds courting and mating and hatching, Chen's passion for nature shines with artistic and aesthetic photographs sure to pique a greater appreciation of New Zealand birds. Accompanying this illustrated photographic book is well-researched and engaging text that enrich the images’ depicting bird behaviour and biology. Discover which native bird’s undersides have ultraviolet feathers. What underlies the musical prowess of birdsongs, and which New Zealand bird can mimic human speech? Why do adult grebes feed their babies feathers? What special physiological adaptations allow godwits to survive their monumental migration? What impact does climate change and other emerging threats have on the conservation of New Zealand’s avian wildlife?