Birds and Birding's Guide to:

Watching GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF BIRDS

Bird Geographical Distributions

The New Zealand Region

There has been considerable discussion as to the propriety of considering this as a life area of primary rank, but notwithstanding the fact that it is by far the smaller of the areas usually so considered, it is sufficiently well characterized to warrant this distinction, and in fact cannot well be referred to any other Region. Regarding the matter of size it may be pointed out that while it is now restricted, if it is considered with relation to its dependent islands — Norfolk, Lord Howe's, and Kermadec Islands on the north, Chatham Islands on the east, and Auckland, Macquarie, and Antipodes groups on the south — which were once undoubtedly a part of it, it is seen that the area is but little short of that of Australia.

This New Zealand area was set off from Australia by subsidence at a remote period, geologically speaking, and has apparently remained continuously separated. As might be supposed, this early separation and continuous isolation has resulted in developing or perpetuating some very remarkable life forms. It is, or rather was until recently, the home of two perfectly distinct orders of birds, the Dinomithiformes, or Moas, and their allies, embracing two families, some seven genera, and about thirty nominal species, and the Apterygiformes, or Kiwis, of which there are six species.

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