Brent Stephenson / Adult Red-crowned parakeet (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae) foraging on totara (Podocarpus) fruits in the sub-canopy. Ulva Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand, February.

Brent Stephenson / Adult male Yellowhead (Mohoua ochrocephala) hanging on the side of a tree fern whilst foraging. Ulva Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand, February. Endangered species.

Brent Stephenson / Mottled petrel (Pterodroma inexpectata) showing the distinctive underwing and body pattern, Stewart Island, New Zealand, January.

Brent Stephenson / Antarctic prion (Pachyptila desolata) in flight low over the sea, showing upperwing pattern. Between the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, South Atlantic. January.

Brent Stephenson / Adult Nankeen night-heron (Nycticorax caledonicus australasiae) perched in a tree amongst leaves. Labuan Bird Park, Sabah, Borneo. April. Captive.

Brent Stephenson / Adult Snares Island snipe (Coenocorypha huegeli) pauses whilst feeding in the leaf-litter. Codfish Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand, January.

Brent Stephenson / Adult Snares Island snipe (Coenocorypha huegeli) pausing whilst feeding in the leaf-litter. Codfish Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand, January.

Brent Stephenson / Adult New Zealand kaka (Nestor meridionalis) in flight against a blue sky showing the red underwing. This is the Southern subspecies, meridionalis. Codfish Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand, Novembe...

Brent Stephenson / 'Hoki' the female Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) approaching with curiosity, at the summit of the Codfish Island at night. Codfish Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand, January. Critically endangered.

Brent Stephenson / 'Sinbad' the male Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) curiously peering from the bushes during the day. Codfish Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand, January. Critically endangered.

Brent Stephenson / 'Sinbad' the male Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) Codfish Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand, January. Critically endangered.

Brent Stephenson / 'Sinbad' the male Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) portrait, Codfish Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand, January. Critically endangered.

Brent Stephenson / Adult Orange-fronted / Malherbe's parakeet (Cyanoramphus malherbi) with worn plumage, perched on a branch in the low canopy. Blumine Island, Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand, February. Critically endan...

Brent Stephenson / Adult Orange-fronted / Malherbe's parakeet (Cyanoramphus malherbi) with worn plumage, perched on a branch in the low canopy. Blumine Island, Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand, February. Critically endan...

Brent Stephenson / Pacific black duck X mallard hybrid (Anas superciliosa superciliosa X Anas platyrhynchos) in flight showing the green speculum typical of the Pacific black duck, but the white edging to the speculum t...

Brent Stephenson / Adult Common tern (Sterna hirundo longipennis) in worn non-breeding plumage. Note that this subspecies always has a black bill, even in breeding plumage. Thursday Island, Torres Strait, Australia. Mar...

Brent Stephenson / Adult Fairy tern (Sternula nereis davisae) moulting out of breeding plumage, resting on a sandy beach. This is the incredibly endangered New Zealand subspecies which has less than 50 individuals remai...

Brent Stephenson / Adult Indian yellow-nosed albatross (Thalassarche carteri) sitting on the water with wings raised, showing the underwing. Off North Cape, New Zealand, March. Endangered species.

Brent Stephenson / Adult male Little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii) foraging in grass near the forest edge. Tiritiri Matangi Island, Auckland, New Zealand, February.

Brent Stephenson / Immature Eastern rosella (Platycercus eximius) perched in a tree against a blue sky. Tiritiri Matangi Island, Auckland, New Zealand, February.

Brent Stephenson / Adult Takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) closeup showing the massive bill and frontal shield as it walks through grassland. Tiritiri Matangi Island, Auckland, New Zealand, February. Endangered species.

Brent Stephenson / White-faced storm-petrel (Pelagodroma marina) skimming across the surface of the water as it feeds. Off the Three Kings, Far North, New Zealand, March.

Brent Stephenson / New Zealand storm-petrel (Oceanites maoriana) in flight low over the sea showing the upperwing pattern. Off the Three Kings, Far North, New Zealand, March. Critically endangered.

Brent Stephenson / Wandering albatross, probably immature New Zealand albatross (Diomedea antipodensis) in flight over the sea, showing underwing. Off North Cape, New Zealand, March. Vulnerable species.

Brent Stephenson / Adult Wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans) sitting on its nest amongst tussock grasses with the rugged mountains of South Georgia in the background. Prion Island, South Georgia. South Atlantic. Janu...

Brent Stephenson / Adult Magellanic Penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus) standing on the shore near the breeding burrow. Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, South Atlantic. January. Near threatened.

Brent Stephenson / Adult Macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) perched on a rock at the edge of the sea adjacent to its breeding colony. Elsehul, South Georgia, South Atlantic. January. Vulnerable species.

Brent Stephenson / Adult Grey-headed albatross (Thalassarche chrysostoma) in flight showing the underwing and head and bill pattern. Off South Georgia, South Atlantic. January. Endangered species.

Brent Stephenson / Antarctic prion (Pachyptila desolata) taking off from the sea, showing underwing pattern. Off South Georgia, South Atlantic. January.

Brent Stephenson / Adult female New Zealand falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae ferox) perched on a lichen covered branch within the forest canopy. Boundary Stream Mainland Island, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, November.

Brent Stephenson / Gaggle of feral Domestic geese (Anser anser) swimming across a pond. Mixture of ages and sexes. Te Awanga Lagoon, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, November.

Brent Stephenson / A spring of Grey teal (Anas gracilis) perching on a log on the edge of a pond. Included in the photo are from left to right, a juvenile, an adult, and two immatures. Te Awanga Lagoon, Hawkes Bay, New...

Brent Stephenson / Adult Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) taking off from a New Zealand flax (Phormium) flowerhead whilst foraging for nectar. Note the yellow pollen on the forehead. Te Awanga Lagoon, Hawkes Bay, New...

Brent Stephenson / Adult male Southern brown kiwi (Apteryx australis) feeding amongst kelp on a sandy beach. Ocean Beach, Stewart Island, New Zealand, November. Vulnerable species.

Brent Stephenson / Adult male South Island / Rock wren (Xenicus gilviventris) perched on a mossy rock in the alpine zone. Homer Tunnel, Fiordland National Park, New Zealand, November. Vulnerable species.

Brent Stephenson / Adult male South Island / Rock wren (Xenicus gilviventris) perched on a mossy rock in the alpine zone. Homer Tunnel, Fiordland National Park, New Zealand, November. Vulnerable species.

Brent Stephenson / A flock of Hutton's shearwaters (Puffinus huttoni) taking off from the sea surface. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, November. Endangered species.

Brent Stephenson / Fresh plumaged Sooty shearwater (Puffinus griseus) in flight low over the water showing the upperwing. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, November.

Brent Stephenson / Adult male Tomtit (Petroica macrocephala toitoi) perched on a branch in the forest whilst foraging. Boundary Stream Mainland Island, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, November.

Brent Stephenson / Adult Common myna (Acridotheres tristis) in fresh plumage, perched amongst the branches of a tree. Havelock North, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, September. Introduced species in New Zealand.

Brent Stephenson / Nest of a Masked lapwing (Vanellus miles) with three eggs. Smedley Station, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, September.

Brent Stephenson / Three Plumed whistling ducks (Dendrocygna eytoni) feeding amongst short grass. Taradale, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, September.

Brent Stephenson / Immature Australasian bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus) moulting from juvenile plumage, hiding amongst reeds. Lake Hatuma, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, September. Endangered species.

Brent Stephenson / Adult male Red-necked stint (Phalaropus lobatus) moulting out of breeding plumage, stretching its wing whilst standing in shallow water. Flatey, Western Fjords, Iceland. July.

Brent Stephenson / Juvenile Common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) hiding amongst tall grass and fern. Tresco, Isles of Scilly, United Kingdom. July.

Brent Stephenson / Adult male Common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) in worn plumage, perched on a fence with food in its bill ready to feed its chicks. Iona, Inner Hebrides, Scotland. May.

Brent Stephenson / Bulwer's petrel (Bulweria bulwerii) flying low over the water, showing distinctive upperwing pattern. Off Madeira, North Atlantic. May.

Brent Stephenson / Adult Takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) closeup showing the massive bill and frontal shield. Tiritiri Matangi Island, Auckland, New Zealand, April. Endangered species.

Brent Stephenson / Brown quail (Coturnix ypsilophora) pair amongst vegetation. Tiritiri Matangi Island, Auckland, New Zealand, April.

Brent Stephenson / Great shearwater (Puffinus gravis) in flight at sea, showing the pale collar and upperwing pattern. Off Stewart Island, New Zealand, April.

Brent Stephenson / Flesh-footed shearwater (Puffinus carneipes) coming in to land on the water, showing the diagnostic pale feet of this species. Off the Three Kings, Far North, New Zealand, March.

Brent Stephenson / Black-winged petrel (Pterodroma nigripennis) in flight at sea, showing the underwing pattern. Off the Three Kings, Far North, New Zealand, March.

Brent Stephenson / Wedge-tailed shearwater (Puffinus pacificus) in flight at sea, showing both the under and upperwing. Off the Three Kings, Far North, New Zealand, March.

Brent Stephenson / Flesh-footed shearwater (Puffinus carneipes) coming in to land on the water, showing the diagnostic pale feet of this species. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, February.

Brent Stephenson / White-chinned petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis) in flight over the water, showing the upperwing. This bird has aberrant plumage with a white eye-ring. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, February. Vu...

Brent Stephenson / Adult Buller's albatross (Thalassarche bulleri bulleri) in flight against a blue sky showing the underwing and head and bill pattern. Off the Solander Islands, Southland, New Zealand, February. Near t...

Brent Stephenson / Wilson's storm petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) bouncing off the water whilst feeding, showing rump and upperwing from behind. Cuverville Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica. December.

Brent Stephenson / Antarctic tern (Sterna vittata) in breeding plumage calling and displaying near its nest. Deception Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica. December.

Brent Stephenson / White-chinned petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis) in flight over the water, showing the underwing. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, November. Vulnerable species.

Brent Stephenson / Immature white-capped albatross (Thalassarche cauta) (probably nearly two years old) in flight showing the underwing, darker bill pattern, and partial collar found in a bird of this age. Off Stewart I...

Brent Stephenson / Adult Salvin's albatross (Thalassarche salvini) in flight with three white-capped albatross (Thalassarche cauta) beside it. Off Stewart Island, New Zealand, November. Vulnerable species.

Brent Stephenson / Adult White-capped albatross (Thalassarche cauta) in flight showing the upperwing. Off Stewart Island, New Zealand, November. Near threatened.

Brent Stephenson / Adult New Zealand kaka (Nestor meridionalis) feeding on fresh buds of tree daisy (Olearia). This is the Southern subspecies, meridionalis. Ulva Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand, November. Endangere...

Brent Stephenson / Weka (Gallirallus australis scotti) chick amongst leaflitter on the forest floor. The adult was nearby. Ulva Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand, November.

Brent Stephenson / Adult North Island saddleback (Philesturnus rufusater) feeding on nectar from a New Zealand flax (Phormium) flowers. Note the yellow pollen on the forehead. Tiritiri Matangi Island, Auckland, New Zeal...

Brent Stephenson / Australasian gannet (Morus serrator) in flight against the sea, near the breeding colony. Muriwai, Auckland, New Zealand, November.

Brent Stephenson / South Island oystercatcher (Haematopus finschi) nest containing two eggs. This is the nest of one of the few pairs of this species that nests on braided riverbeds in the North Island, as the name sugg...

Brent Stephenson / South Island oystercatcher (Haematopus finschi) nest containing two eggs. This is one of the few pairs of this species that nests on braided riverbeds in the North Island, as the name suggests they no...

Brent Stephenson / Grey-backed storm-petrel (Garrodia nereis) feeding from the surface of the water. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, October.

Brent Stephenson / Grey-backed storm-petrel (Garrodia nereis) in flight bouncing off the water with its long legs. View from behind. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, October.

Brent Stephenson / Pied cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius) closeup of head showing the brightly coloured caruncle and eye-ring. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, October.

Brent Stephenson / Adult Salvin's albatross (Thalassarche salvini) resting on the water. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, October. Vulnerable species.

Brent Stephenson / Adult female Grey warbler (Gerygone igata) incubating eggs in the dome-shaped nest. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, October.

Brent Stephenson / Adult female Grey warbler (Gerygone igata) with nesting material in her bill. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, October.

Brent Stephenson / Adult Wandering albatross, probably a New Zealand albatross (Diomedea antipodensis) in flight over the sea, showing the upperwing. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand,. This is the probably the Antipode...

Brent Stephenson / Fresh plumaged Sooty shearwater (Puffinus griseus) resting on the water. Kaikoura, Canterbury, New Zealand, October.

Brent Stephenson / Juvenile Masked lapwing (Vanellus miles) showing mottled back pattern and small pale facial wattles. Cape Kidnappers, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, October.

Brent Stephenson / Adult female North Island robin (Petroica longipes) brooding chicks at the nest. Tiritiri Matangi Island, Auckland, New Zealand, September.

Brent Stephenson / Immature New Zealand pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) showing iridescent plumage around the head but no red eye ring. Tiritiri Matangi Island, Auckland, New Zealand.

Brent Stephenson / Juvenile Whitehead (Mohoua albicilla) in worn plumage, foraging in the outer branches of a shrub. Tiritiri Matangi Island, Auckland, New Zealand, September.

Brent Stephenson / Adult North Island saddleback (Philesturnus rufusater) showing the obvious fleshy wattle at the base of the bill. Tiritiri Matangi Island, Auckland, New Zealand, September.

Brent Stephenson / Male Stitchbird (Notiomystis cincta) perched on a branch, with bill wide open calling. Tiritiri Matangi Island, Auckland, New Zealand, September. Vulnerable species.

Brent Stephenson / Male Stitchbird (Notiomystis cincta) perched on a branch, with tail cocked in characteristic pose. Tiritiri Matangi Island, Auckland, New Zealand, September. Vulnerable species.

Brent Stephenson / Adult male Bellbird (Anthornis melanura) perched on a branch and puffed up calling in an aggressive display. Tiritiri Matangi Island, Auckland, New Zealand, September.

Brent Stephenson / Immature male Bellbird (Anthornis melanura) perched on a branch in the understorey. Shows some retained juvenile flight feathers and less purple on the face than in adults. Tiritiri Matangi Island, Au...

Brent Stephenson / Adult male bellbird (Anthornis melanura) perched on a branch in the understorey. Tiritiri Matangi Island, Auckland, New Zealand, September.

Brent Stephenson / Adult Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis) in non-breeding plumage, feeding on mudflats. Manawatu Estuary, Manawatu, New Zealand, September.

Brent Stephenson / Adult Royal spoonbill (Platalea regia) in non-breeding plumage, showing the distinctive spoon-shaped bill. Manawatu Estuary, Manawatu, New Zealand, September.

Brent Stephenson / Adult Red-necked stint (Calidris ruficollis) in non-breeding plumage, feeding on mudflats, with reflection. Manawatu Estuary, Manawatu, New Zealand, September.

Brent Stephenson / Male Bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica) moulting into non-breeding plumage, still with a touch of its breeding plumage. Manawatu Estuary, Manawatu, New Zealand, September.

Brent Stephenson / Adult male Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) in breeding plumage, resting on a rock on the shoreline. St Malo, Brittany, France. September.

Brent Stephenson / Juvenile Red knot (Calidris canutus) standing on the shoreline, fresh plumage. Inverewe, Highland, Scotland. August.

Brent Stephenson / Adult light morph Pomarine jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus) in breeding plumage with large tail 'spoons'. Cape St Elias, Alaska, United States. July.

Brent Stephenson / Female Northern pintail (Anas acuta) swimming on water. Anchorage, Alaska, United States. June.

Brent Stephenson / Immature Fernbird (Megalurus punctata punctata) perched in dense vegetation on the ground. Stockton Plateau, West Coast, New Zealand, April.

Brent Stephenson / Juvenile wandering albatross, probably New Zealand albatross (Diomedea antipodensis) in flight over the sea, showing upperwing. Off North Cape, New Zealand, April. Vulnerable species.