Arthur Thomas Pycroft (3 September 1875 – 8 November 1971) was a New Zealand naturalist and collector, known especially for his ornithological work.

Pycroft worked for the New Zealand Railways Department and became a senior manager, but he retired young after receiving a large inheritance.

He grew rare plants at his large property in the Auckland suburb of Saint Heliers.

[2][3] Henry Pycroft had come to New Zealand in 1866,[4] and Sarah and he married at Wanganui in December 1872.

Arthur's secondary education was at Auckland Grammar School in the adjacent suburb of Epsom.

[10] They had one son, Lansley Thomas James Pycroft, born on 4 October 1914 at their Parnell residence.

[3] All throughout his life, he collaborated with scientists, naturalists, and museum directors, and he was regarded as a respected colleague.

[17] Auckland contemporary artist Hamish Foote exhibited a painting Pycroft's Supper in 2006 that illustrates the "tragic" story; huia were revered by both Māori and colonial settlers.

[14] He had an article published in the 1898 Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute titled On Birds of the Bay of Islands.

[15] Pycroft seldom wrote scientific texts afterwards but had a weekly column in the Auckland Star titled Ways of the Wild through which he reported on his expeditions.

Pycroft's wife Minna was acknowledged for her skill in preparing ornithological and botanical drawings.

[3] Later in his life, he came to prominence with research on moa, where he worked alongside Gilbert Archey, Frank Mappin, and Carrick Robertson.

With 4 hectares (9.9 acres), they had a large garden and Pycroft used it to grow rare plants sourced during island expeditions, including Xeronema callistemon (Poor Knights lily).