Here's a fun challenge for the family this month: throw open the curtains one crisp winter morning, stand very still, and just… listen. That cheerful racket outside? That's some of New Zealand's most brilliant birds, and winter is a wonderful time to get to know them.

You don't need a forest, a hike, or any special gear. A window, a garden, or a walk to the park will do the trick.

The birds to look (and listen) for

Tūī are the show-offs. Glossy black-green with a funny little white tuft at the throat — like a smart bow tie — they have one of the maddest songs going. Clicks, whistles, chuckles, and sometimes a sound like a creaky gate. Cheekiest of all, tūī can copy other noises, so if you hear a very strange tune, it might be a tūī having a laugh.

Kererū are the big, plump wood pigeons, and they are gloriously clumsy. They crash about in the trees, flap noisily, and have been known to eat so much fruit they get a bit wobbly. Keep an eye out for a flash of shiny green and a round white tummy.

Pīwakawaka (fantails) are the friendly ones. Tiny, with a tail that fans out like a little paper fan, they flit and dart and often follow people around — not to say hello, cheekily, but to snap up the insects we stir up as we walk. They almost never sit still, which makes them very fun to chase with your eyes.

Bring the birds to you

Want a closer look? Try these:

Plant for the birds. Native flax and kōwhai are like a café for tūī. If you've got a garden, a few native plants bring the birds right to you.

Put out fresh water. A shallow dish for drinking and splashing is a hit, especially on dry, frosty days.

Sit quietly. Birds relax when you're still. Ten calm minutes on the back step often beats an hour of tramping about.

A quick tip from the experts: it's best not to feed wild birds bread or leftovers, as it isn't good for their tummies. Water and the right plants are the kindest way to help.

Make a game of it

Turn your family into bird detectives. See how many different birds you can spot in a week, and keep a little tally on the fridge. Give them nicknames. Try to copy their calls (warning: the tūī will out-sing you every time). Draw the ones you see.

For an extra challenge, close your eyes and count how many different songs you can hear at once. In a good spot, on a good morning, it's more than you'd think.

Why it matters

Lots of our native birds are found nowhere else on Earth, which makes spotting one from your own back door genuinely special. The more kids notice them, the more they grow to love them — and looking after them starts with simply saying hello.

So this winter, turn down the telly, open a window, and let the birds put on a show. It's free, it's happening every single morning, and the concert is just for you.