New Zealand Rockwren
Xenicus gilviventris
ENEndangered Endemic to New Zealand
- Family
- New Zealand Wrens (Acanthisittidae)
- Order
- Passeriformes
Overview
The New Zealand rock wren (Xenicus gilviventris) is a small New Zealand wren (family Acanthisittidae) endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Its Māori names include pīwauwau ("little complaining bird"), mātuitui, and tuke ("twitch", after its bobbing motion). Outside New Zealand it is sometimes known as the rockwren to distinguish it from the unrelated rock wren of North America.
The rock wren is currently restricted to alpine and subalpine areas of the South Island.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Range and habitat
High mountains of South Island (New Zealand).
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Continents
Countries
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: New Zealand rock wren
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.
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