New Zealand the “land of birds”, due to the lack of mammals, much of New Zealand’s flora and fauna has evolved into one of the highest levels of endemism. Our bird species evolved over millions of years, to fill niches which mammals would have filled in other parts of the world. So the introduction of Rats, Mice, Possums, Stoats, Pigs and Deer has had a huge impact on the 300 bird species in New Zealand. Combine this with the loss of habitat and it is not surprising that many of these unique birds are under threat and on the brink of extinction.
