New Zealand Bird ID (1 Viewer)

[adamt123]

Hello everyone

I am having trouble identifying this bird (apologies for the poor image quality). The photo was taken in the evening of 21 April 2017 at Te Puia near Rotorua, North Island.

The plump bird was about the size of a pigeon with greyish-brown feathers and distinct streaks of blue. It also has a blackish face.

Such a description seems to match the North Island Kokako, but I think that bird is a little larger and the southern outskirts of the city of Rotorua is not its typical location.

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[James Lowther]

Hi Adam,
it's a blackbird (introduced from Europe).
cheers,
James

 

[mark clements]

Looks like European Blackbird to me.
Kokato has a hooked bill, like a small parrot, and distinct blue wattles on the cheeks.
The wing shape is much more blackbird like to me.
Also the Kokato has a rounded tail.
But Plump, size of a pigeon... may mean I am wrong.
H

 

[Larry Sweetland]

It's definitely a Blackbird. Size can be deceptive, especially in an unfamiliar place. You couldn't be more right about it being an unlikely location for Kokako too.

 

[adamt123]

thanks guys