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This page lists books about birds, or which include sections on birds, published by Canterbury University Press in New Zealand.

The books are arranged by publication date with the most recent at the top.

West Coast Walking: A Naturalist's Guide

Kerry-Jayne Wilson

2013

"The West Coast of New Zealand's South Island arguably boasts the greatest range of the country's natural attractions. From the warm, temperate nikau palm forests at Karamea to the cool beech forests of Haast, from the alpine heights of Arthur's Pass to the dramatic Paparoa coast, glaciers that descend into valleys filled with unique podocarp rainforests, plus pristine lakes and lagoons – the West Coast has it all. New Zealand is a centre of endemicity, with over 80% of our native non-marine birds, reptiles, flowering plants, gymnosperms, land-snails and insects restricted to this country, and hundreds of those species are found on the West Coast. The Coast is an essential destination for any overseas naturalist or bird-watcher, and a place New Zealanders interested in nature should return to time and again. This remote part of the country is New Zealand as tourists and many Kiwis imagine it to be. Remote and wild it may seem, yet most of its natural attractions are accessible from sealed roads and well-formed paths, some even wheelchair accessible. This book presents an introduction to the West Coast's physical environment, plants and animals, and a guide to the walks, lakes and highways of the region. Short easy paths are described in some detail, along with the plants, animals and natural features to look for along the way. Longer, more demanding trails are described in less detail. The lakes and lagoons are best explored by kayak, and guidance is given for the paddling naturalist."

Natural History of Banks Peninsula

Hugh Wilson

2009

"This book builds on the information gathered in a five year survey of Banks Peninsula to present a concise and up-to-date summary of the area's landscape, vegetation and wildlife. The Peninsula is a unique volcanic landform jutting eastwards into the Pacific from the otherwise unsurprising Canterbury Plains. It was stripped of trees by two waves of human colonisation, but native forest cover is now increasing."

Chatham Islands: Heritage and Conservation

Editor: Colin Miskelly

2nd edition

2008

"Describes the Chatham Islands, with particular emphasis on the islands' geology, flora, fauna, habitats and extinct and endangered species - on land, in freshwater and in the sea. Provides an introduction to the human history of the islands, and a guide to the many reserves and covenants that have been established to protect and conserve the islands' heritage."

The Natural History of Canterbury

Editor: Michael Winterbourn, George Knox, Colin Burrows, Islay Marsden

3rd edition

2008

"Provides a comprehensive, up-to-date account of knowledge of the flora, fauna and environment of the region with a broad audience in mind. It will be a valuable resource for natural scientists, students, environmental managers and interested lay people, not just in Canterbury but throughout New Zealand. Contributions to the 27 chapters were made by more than 40 scientists and academics with wide-ranging experience and expertise in their subjects. Contents include chapters on the geology, geomorphology and geography of the region, climate and soils, and the history of Maori colonisation and life. Past and present vegetation are dealt with in detail, as are fossil and present-day faunas, including the birds, amphibians and reptiles, and marine mammals. The ecology of terrestrial, marine and freshwater habitats is treated in depth. Timely and thought-provoking chapters deal with ecological restoration, conservation issues and environmental management."

A Checklist to New Zealand Birds, Frogs, Reptiles, Mammals and Butterflies

Kerry-Jane Wilson

2007

"This pocket checklist includes all the species of birds, frogs, reptiles, mammals and butterflies that currently have wild populations in New Zealand, plus vagrant species that have been reliably recorded here during the last 25 years. It will enable birdwatchers and naturalists to keep records of the species they see during field excursions in New Zealand."

From Tussocks to Tourists: The Story of the Central Canterbury High Country

David Relph

2007

"The Waimakariri, the Rakaia, the Rangitata – the catchments of these mighty rivers make up the magnificent high country of central Canterbury. From Tussocks to Tourists explores this fascinating region and explains: the formation of high country landforms; the infamous nor'wester gales and dramatic snowfalls; the alpine herb gardens, tussock grasslands and other unique ecosystems; the arrival and effects of foreign plants and animals ; the early explorers and establishment of the first high country pastoral runs; the big sheep stations that have been the heart of the Canterbury high country for nearly 150 years; the sagas surrounding the trans-alpine road and railway; the traditional use of the area for recreation; the recent development of tourism; the contentious issues of conservation and land tenure; and the way the Canterbury high country has inspired art and literature."

Life in the Estuary: Illustrated Guide and Ecology

Malcolm B. Jones and Islay D. Marsden

2nd edition

2005

"This guide to the estuarine environment describes the dominant organisms and their ecology and includes easy to use keys and illustrations to identify many common species of plants and animals, including invertebrates, birds and fish. This book, although based primarily on organisms found within the Christchurch Avon-Heathcote Estuary, is an ideal beachcombing companion for the identification of common species found throughout New Zealand estuaries, mudflats, rocky shores, salt marshes and surf beaches."

Flight of the Huia: Ecology and Conservation of New Zealand's Frogs, Reptiles, Birds and Mammals

Kerry-Jayne Wilson

2004

"This book tells the story of New Zealand's birds, mammals, reptiles and frogs, from their Gondwanan origins to the arrival of the first rats, then people and their camp followers. Flight of the Huia reviews the way our attitudes to and management of conservation have changed during this time and concludes with a debate on future directions for conservation of this now much altered fauna. The book is the first to present a history of faunal change in New Zealand and a review of the ecology and conservation of those animals."

Great Barrier Island

Editor: Don Armitage

2nd edition

2004

"First publishd in 2001 and now extensively revised, this book describes Great Barrier Island's history and natural features, including flora, fauna, habitats and endangered species, both terrestrial and marine. Profusely illustrated, it is an esential resource for all visitors to what Sir Peter Blake called probably my favourite island in the whole world."

Rare and Endangered New Zealand Birds

Peter Gaze

1994

A guide to some of New Zealand's most endangered birds including the kokako, black robin and yellow-eyed penguin.