This volume serves as a comprehensive identification manual for the avian species inhabiting the New Zealand archipelago. The authors, prominent ornithologists including E. S. Turbott, R. A. Falla, and R. B. Sibson, synthesize decades of field observation and taxonomic research to provide a definitive reference for both amateur birdwatchers and professional biologists. The text utilizes a structured classification system to assist readers in the accurate identification of native and introduced bird species across diverse ecological zones.

This work is regarded as a foundational reference text for New Zealand ornithology, valued for its rigorous taxonomic accuracy and practical utility in the field. The depth of the research and the clarity of the identification keys make it a standard resource for regional naturalists and academic researchers alike.