Extinct Birds of New Zealand

About this book

In New Zealand's lush rainforests, isolated from the outside world for 80 million years, many extraordinary birds evolved. They included the giant moa, the beautiful huia, and the largest eagle the earth has ever seen. Within a few hundred years, human settlement extinguished 58 species - over a quarter of the species.

For the first time ever, this book brings all these lost birds to life. In rich colour, celebrated painter Paul Martinson depicts each bird in its original habitat. Te Papa palaeontologist Alan Tennyson provides detailed information on the birds as well as a compelling overview of their tragic extinction.

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Biography

Alan Tennyson is Curator of Fossil Vertebrates at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. He has contribted to various books, Handbook of the Birds of Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica (Oxford University Press, 1990), Birds to Watch 2: the World List of Threatened Birds (BirdLife International, 1994) and, ongoingly, the complete checklist of the birds of New Zealand. Paul Martinson, A self-taught artist was named New Zealand Wildlife Artist of the Year in 1990.