Bird Poems published on Poetry Box

"What a flock of fabulous bird poems" - Paula Green

Toutouwai | South Island Robin
photo by Izak Koster

Some of our writers have been working on bird poems for Paula Green's latest challenge on Poetry Box.

Paula received hundreds of poems from students from all over Aotearoa New Zealand. She has published some of her favourite poems including those by Porou, Lachlan, Bryn, William and Elise.

You can read them on the Poetry Box blog HERE.

Paula has selected Porou to receive a book prize. Congratulations to all our poets!

The Tūī

black small feathers
ruffle against its body
short wide wings spread out ready to soar
black beak ready to feast

by Lachlan T, Year 5 Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School

The Kea

As cheeky as a 4-year old stealing a doughnut
the Kea is a very intelligent bird

Squawking and cawing
a trickster with flaming orange underwings
gliding across the mountaintops
hail shattering across the sky

Preening its wings with care
it can steal your lunch!

by Porou R, Year 4 Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School

Albatross

brave albatross flies
above the foggy dark forest

huge wings glide
through puffy clouds

yellow beak pecks
at fish like chopsticks

fast albatross dives
smelling its prey 12 miles away

by William H, age 9 Year 5, Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School

Fantail

brown chest beating
swaying side to side
black white feathers fan out
chirps like cracking chips
white banded face brushes on fern

By Elise M Year 5 / Age 9 Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School

Ruru

Yellowish-green eyes
stare into nothingness

Dark brown
Huddling in the shadow

Shark hook
Piercing your food

Yellow feet
Stuck to the tree

Dark brown
Spotted white feathers

Creamy brown breast
Stands out in the darkness

The call of more-pork
Fills the forest

Hidden in a
bush

You sleep
I wake

by Bryn D, Year 7 Te Parito Kōwhai Russley School