SHINING CUCKOO, LAKE TAUPO, TOKAANU, NEW ZEALAND

   We can ID this bird as a Shining Cuckoo by its white cheeks, underparts and short tail barred with dark green, black downcurved bill and dark green wings.

   The Shining Cuckoo is a summer migrant to New Zealand, where it is common.  

   The Shining Cuckoo is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 738.

NEW ZEALAND DABCHICK OR WEWEIA, LAKE TAUPO, TOKAANU, NEW ZEALAND

We can ID this grebe as a New Zealand Dabchick by its glossy black head; black, short, pointed bill; dark plumage; short, tufted white tail (this is very distinctive when looking at rear of bird) and bright eyes (in this lighting eyes look white, but are actually yellow).

   The New Zealand Dabchick is a member of the grebe family and is endemic to New Zealand. 

   The New Zealand Dabchick is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 737.

ROYAL SPOONBILLS IN FLIGHT, LAKE TAUPO, TOKAANU, NEW ZEALAND

EUROPEAN GREENFINCH OR GREENFINCH, PARKLANDS MOTOR LODGE, TURANGI, NEW ZEALAND

   We can ID this bird as a European Greenfinch or just Greenfinch by its green color and thick, conical  bill.

   The Greenfinch is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 736.

VIEWS FROM TANGARIO RIVER TRAIL, TAUPAHI SCENIC RESERVE, TURANGI, NEW ZEALAND

BIRDING TOUR GROUP OBSERVING BLUE DUCKS, TANGARIO RIVER TRAIL, TAUPAHI SCENIC RESERVE, TURANGI, NEW ZEALAND

ADULT BLUE DUCKS & DUCKLINGS, TANGARIO RIVER TRAIL, TAUPAHI SCENIC RESERVE, TURANGI, NEW ZEALAND, 10/30/2017

   We can ID this duck as a Blue Duck by its chestnut spotted breast, overall dark slate-grey color, pinkish-white bill with a black tip and yellow eyes.  The male is more chestnut spotted on the breast than the female.  Thus, in the first photo the male is on the right and the female on the left.

   The Blue Duck is endemic to New Zealand.  It is the only member of the genus Hymenolaimus. 

   These adult Blue Ducks have are watching over several of their ducklings.

   The Blue Duck is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 735.