Introduced Birds

Californian quail
Magpie (1864)
Blackbird
Swallow
Song thrush
House sparrow (1860)
Chaffinch
Yellowhammer (1865),
Common Myna (Pakistan & India)

The Californian Quail was introduced from USA in 1862 and is a naturalised gamebird. Small, plump, they are common in open shrublands throughout most of the country. The male has a striking black face bordered with white and a conspicuous top-knot or plume. The female is duller in colour with a less obvious plume. The young are numerous & able to fly at a young age, but have a low survival rate. In autumn, quail gather in large coveys to feed & roost together. The male call, often represented as ‘Chi-ca-go’, is distinctive and diagnostic

The magpie was introduced from Australia & is well-known for their propensity for attacking people by dive-bombing during the breeding season

The yellowhammer is not to be confused with the rare NZ Yellowhead in decline in the south island.