This volume serves as a comprehensive identification manual for the avian species inhabiting New Zealand and its surrounding territories. The authors, Falla, Sibson, and Turbott, utilize their extensive field expertise to provide a systematic classification and descriptive framework for both endemic and migratory bird populations. The text functions as a foundational reference for ornithologists and naturalists seeking to catalog the biodiversity of the region through detailed physical descriptions and habitat analysis.

This work is regarded as a standard reference text for regional ornithology, valued for its systematic approach to species identification. Its enduring presence in the field suggests it remains a reliable resource for researchers and enthusiasts documenting the avian life of the South Pacific.