Birds Guide

The family Turnagridae consisted of two species of Piopio, passerine birds native to New Zealand, both of which are now considered extinct.

Sometimes described as New Zealand Thrushes, the piopios had only a coincidental passing resemblance to the Thrush family. Piopios are actually believed to have more in common with the Bowerbird families of Australia.

The main reasons believed to have caused the extinction of the piopios was the destruction of their forested habitat and the introduction of new invasive alien species, mostly mammalian predators, to the island.

Species of Turnagridae

• South Island Piopio or New Zealand Thrush, Turnagra capensis
  North Island Piopio, Turnagra tanagra

External link

• Piopio