80 HOW TO IDENTIFY NEW ZEALAND BIRDS 
Coraciiformes. 
Sub-order Coraciae 
9.75 in. Kingfisher (Halcyon sanctus or Saurepatis 
sanctus). Upper parts sea green with olive tinge. Surface 
of wings ultramarine also tail, black round neck. Young 
brown with white feathers on back of neck. Darting flight. 
Long beak. Seldom seen on ground. 
Sub-order Striges 
“OWLS. 
8.5 in. Little Brown Owl (Athene noctua). Differs from 
Morepork in smaller size, underparts whitish. Found only in 
South Island, very few north of Christchurch. Mews like a 
cat. Gradually spreading northward. 
12.5 in. Morepork (Spiloglaux novaeseelandiae). Differs 
from Little Owl, being bigger and breast tawny instead of 
whitish. Ory of Morepork, also mews. 
19 in. Laughing Owl (Sceloglauxz albifacies). Brown 
streaked tawny, white facial disc, large size and unearthly 
cry. 
Sub-order Psittaci 
9 in. Yellow-fronted Parakeet (Cyanorhamphus auriceps) . 
Known by small size, yellow colouring, indigo blue primaries, 
crimson on forehead, and yellow breast. Less gregarious 
than Red-fronted Parakeet. 
11.25 in. Red-fronted Parakeet (Cyanorhamphus novae- 
zelandiae). Red colour and larger size. Ory of ‘‘pretty 
dick’’ or ‘‘be quick.’’? Plumage bright green, blue on wings, 
forehead crimson. 
18.5 in. Kaka (Nestor meridionalis). Conspicuous reddish 
plumage of underwing when flying. Noisy screams of ‘‘Ka 
ka.’’? Semi-nocturnal, upper parts browny. Frequents 
wooded ranges only. Distinguished by shorter bill and 
brown colouring from Kea. 
19.5 in. Kea (Nestor notabilis). Dull olive colouring 
with green. Lining of wings scarlet. Conspicuous long bill. 
Mews like a cat. Hops on ground like Kaka. Frequents 
rocks in high altitudes and in winter descends to gullies. 
