Photo: Andrew / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
New Zealand Rockwren
Xenicus gilviventris
New Zealand Rockwren (Xenicus gilviventris) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
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The New Zealand Rockwren (Xenicus gilviventris) is a member of the Acanthisittidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 17.6 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Acanthisittidae New Zealand Wrens
- Genus Xenicus
- Species gilviventris
Quick facts
- Weight
- 17.6 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Acanthisittidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The New Zealand Rockwren is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open scrub and shrubland, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The New Zealand Rockwren is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The New Zealand Rockwren (Xenicus gilviventris) is a member of the Acanthisittidae family, within the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU montane South I. (New Zealand).
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 17.6 g, with a wing length of about 4.9 cm and a tail of around 1.3 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 11,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the New Zealand Rockwren?
The New Zealand Rockwren is a small bird that weighs around 17.6 g.
Where does the New Zealand Rockwren live?
The New Zealand Rockwren is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU montane South I. (New Zealand), where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the New Zealand Rockwren belong to?
The New Zealand Rockwren (Xenicus gilviventris) belongs to the Acanthisittidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the New Zealand Rockwren eat?
The New Zealand Rockwren is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the New Zealand Rockwren migrate?
The New Zealand Rockwren is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the New Zealand Rockwren endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
What sound does the New Zealand Rockwren make?
1 real field recording of the New Zealand Rockwren — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the New Zealand Rockwren's range?
The New Zealand Rockwren has a mapped global range of about 11,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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