16 Apr 2009

Many NZ birds still under threat

9:09 pm on 16 April 2009

New figures from the Department of Conservation show little improvement in the status of New Zealand's most endangered birds.

The department says 21 bird species which were deemed nationally critical in the last report in 2005 are still in that category.

These include two types of kiwi, the kakapo, takahe, black robin and black stilt.

Three additional species are declining rapidly: the grey duck, eastern rockhopper penguin and grey-headed mollymawk.

The department's report says of the 428 species and sub-species assessed, 77 were deemed threatened and 93 at risk.

However, it says the latest report had some good news: some species are recovering in numbers, such as the little spotted kiwi, brown teal, and North and South Island saddleback.