Who goes there?
Aotearoa is famous worldwide for its incredible variety of unique birdlife!
For centuries, New Zealand’s native birds evolved without any furry predators sneaking around, so many of them got comfy nesting right at ground level. But some have taken a different approach. They’re called "cavity nesters," and they like to nestle into a cozy nook or hollow in a tree. These are the birds that we can lend a hand to!
By offering birdhouses tailored to their needs, we can give them a safe, warm, and dry spot to call home. Each of our brd nestboxes is designed to attract and provide a great nesting space for a specific group of birds. They might not always do what we expect, but they usually get the hint eventually.
Our smallest nestbox, built for our tiniest birds. The bungalow provides a space that's snug and cosy, whilst a smaller opening keeps out many predators and larger birds who can invade their nests. It can be an ideal gateway if you have a smaller amount of space or if it will be in a busier area.
Tauhou | Silvereye
These adorable birds, known for their friendly demeanour, arrived from Australia in the 1950s. Silvereyes enjoy feasting on grapefruit from feeders or fruit trees, and they are quite comfortable with humans nearby.
Tītitipounamu | Rifleman
These beloved New Zealand birds thrive in forest habitats and prefer to stay close to home. Placing your nestbox near a reserve may invite these charming little cuties to settle in.
Tiu | House Sparrow
House sparrows are vibrant and sociable birds known for their lively chatter and flocking behaviour. Thriving in suburban areas, they enjoy snacking on seeds and bring a lively energy to any environment.
The Townhouse
This mid-sized birdhouse is ideal for many cavity-nesting species. Its spacious interior allows for a successful nesting experience while providing protection from larger intruders. If you have a little extra space, place it 2-5 metres off the ground with some separation for optimal success.
Tāringi | Starling
Originally introduced from Europe to help control insect populations, these clever little birds have comfortably settled into Aotearoa. With their glossy feathers and lively personalities, starlings are always up to something entertaining!
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Mohua | Yellowhead
These bright yellow, cheerful little songbirds are unique to New Zealand and love hanging out in beech forests. Known for their sweet chirps, they're true forest gems!
Hihi | Stitchbird
Very rare, but making a comeback in suported sites, these little charmers sport vibrant yellow and black feathers and love to flit around forests, sipping nectar and singing away!
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The Villa
A favourite of many birds who like to feel a bit of breeze in their feathers and who will be a bit claustrophobic in a darker box. This is ideal if you can mount it higher up for native birds. A few of them will also nest on a shelf, but we'd rather get them in here if we can as there's a bit more help for the little ones.
Tūī | Tui
Aotearoa’s charismatic bird, the Tūī boasts stunning iridescent plumage and a distinctive double throat wattle! Renowned for its beautiful songs, this bird loves nectar and can often be found in gardens with flowering trees or flax.
Kākāriki | Parakeet
Kākāriki are among the most recognizable birds in New Zealand. These small parrots, with five distinct types found across the country, are endangered. However, providing nest boxes can significantly aid their recovery efforts.
Ruru Nohinohi
Little Owl
Meet the Little Owl, a small but mighty bird of prey! With its striking yellow eyes and playful demeanour, it hunts insects and small mammals. Place your nest box high up, facing open spaces, so they can perch and survey their territory.
Kākā uhi whero
Eastern rosella
The Eastern Rosella is a vibrant parrot renowned for its stunning plumage, adding a splash of colour to any landscape! These social birds love to chatter and enjoy munching on seeds, fruits, and flowers in gardens and forests.
Grey warbler | Riroriro
A little songbird of Aotearoa, the Grey Warbler has soft grey feathers and sweet melodies. While they are shy and elusive, you may hear their enchanting songs long before you catch a glimpse of them.
Manu Pango | Blackbird
Meet the NZ Blackbird, a songbird with glossy black feathers and a striking orange beak. Renowned for its melodious tunes, this clever bird enjoys foraging for insects and berries in gardens.
Manu-kai-hua-rakau
Songthrush
The Songthrush is a delightful bird celebrated for its beautiful song! Thriving in suburban areas, it loves foraging for worms, snails, and slugs, making it a helpful ally for keen gardeners.
The Deck
Many of our native birds evolved without climbing predators, so they often build their nests in the open, typically in the crook of a branch or on other plants growing from a tree. Mounting this birdhouse higher up in a tree provides a solid, stable platform for them to establish a secure nest. Alternatively, it can be placed lower down as a covered feeder suitable for birds of all sizes.
Kererū | Wood Pigeon
With vibrant plumage, the kererū is a hefty, fruit-loving bird essential to maintaining the health of New Zealand’s forests. They are likely to pick a shelf high in a tree, particularly if you're close to a forested reserve.
Tūī | Tui
Here again? Yep! While we’d love for them to have a bit more security, Tūī prefer nesting platforms, almost as if they fancy themselves as big, tough Kārearea. Spoiler alert: they’re not!
Korimako | Bellbird
Commonly found in the South Island and and covering a lot of the North Island, Bellbirds often accompany Tūī in their habitat. Once nearly extinct in the 1860s, they have made a remarkable comeback.
The Mansions
Some of our bigger birds will do best with a nestbox that's a bit more specialised. We're currently building some prototypes and working with researchers to define what's going to be safest and best for some of our own personal favourites.
Kākā | Kaka
A playful forest parrot with a vibrant green and brown plumage! Known for their cheeky personalities, these clever birds love to explore, socialize, and munch on native fruits and seeds.
Ruru | Morepork
Owls need plenty of space, with 3 or 4 owlets living in the nest for up to 2 months. A high exit hole keeps them safely tucked away until they are ready to fly from their perch high up in the tree.
Kārearea
New Zealand Falcon
A firm favourite at brd HQ and actually rarer than the kiwi! Kārearea enjoy a high perch with a lookout over open areas or farmland where they can pick out their dinner.
