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Derek Onley moved from the UK to New Zealand in 1972 via Southampton, Swansea, Portugal, Cambridge and Oxford. He lived for many years on the West Coast as an ornithological hippie, and among other things he trapped possums, built a house or two and was active in native forest conservation. After 20 years of wet feet, he moved east to Waitati where he lives with his partner and cat, continues to study birds and grows vegetables, trees and roses. In between he has carried out fieldwork in New Zealand and many offshore islands. His illustrations have appeared in field guides worldwide and he is currently working on a guide to Paraguay birds.

Books by Derek Onley

The Hand Guide to the Birds of New Zealand

A bestseller revised: the new edition of this essential reference for identifying New Zealand birds features its biggest update ever.

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The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand

A classic revised: the new edition of this monumental and much-loved book features its biggest update ever. A wonderful celebration of New Zealand's extraordinary and diverse birdlife.

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More features

Article
Who are you voting for in New Zealand Bird of the Century?

Now at Penguin Random House we may be biased towards a particular penguin alliance... but that doesn't mean that there aren't some wonderful other birds to vote for.

penguin pop image
penguin pop image