The only 'respected' introduction

The status of introduced birds, no matter where they're from, where they're imported to, and what they do to the environment, tends to be controversial.

Birders in some countries, such as Singapore and the USA, don't usually care much about them.

In New Zealand and Australia, however, the predominant attitude towards them is that they aren't needed, and whenever possible, they should be done away with.

Obviously, some introduced birds are rarer than others in New Zealand, but that doesn't often change peoples' opinions of them. Kookaburras are rare and localised here, but because all it takes is a flight to Australia's east coast to see plenty of them, it seems that few birders would care if they died out. Cockatoos and (especially) galahs are rare and localised as well, but they aren't of much interest to birders, because they're seen as being public aviary and zoo fodder. Rooks have nearly been eradicated here, but the idea of 'NZ - rooks = no corvids in NZ' doesn't seem to bother any birders.

There is one rare introduced bird in NZ, however, that seems to be exempt from the dislike directed at the rest of NZ's introduced species, common and rare; this being the cirl bunting. This is mainly because it is rare and hard to find, but the fact that it is now rare and relict in the UK and is apparently declining throughout its native range might have something to do with the 'respect' it receives as well.

It's good that at least one of NZ's scarce introduced birds is having its presence enjoyed while this is still possible.

Still, it's a shame that most of those who like it don't think much of the rest of them.