South Island Wren
Xenicus gilviventris
A perky, upright wren restricted to alpine regions in the South Island of New Zealand. Has a very short tail and rounded wings, but distinctive long legs and toes. Male is a mossy green above and pale gray below, with noticeable yellow flanks and a creamy eyebrow. Female has duller plumage. Stance is often erect; constantly bobs up and down, flicking its wings, before hopping and running. Flies very short distances. Seen out in the open in rocky boulder fields, hence its common New Zealand name of “rock wren.” Gives a high-pitched three-note call which travels well in the open alpine terrain. Pairs will sometimes duet.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Xenicus gilviventris
- Authority
- Pelzeln, 1867
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Acanthisittidae
- Genus
- Xenicus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Black-bellied Sunbird
Cinnyris nectarinioides
A slim, long-billed sunbird in which breeding males and females are very different. Breeding males are mostly dark iridescent green with a red band across the underparts. The red band is bordered by narrow yellow stripes in the southern part of the range. Females are plain, with gray-brown upperparts and pale underparts with dark streaking. Found in dry thorn savanna. Similar to Beautiful Sunbird, but breeding males are separated by the less extensive or absent yellow in their belly band, and females by being more streaked below. The common calls are quiet chips and “tip” notes, and the song is a high-pitched jumble typical of sunbirds.
Riverside Wren
Cantorchilus semibadius
Medium-sized wren with rufous upperparts and bold black-and-white barred underparts. Complex black-and-white face pattern. Sexes alike. Found in pairs or small groups, foraging in the lower levels of forests and shrubby edges.
Snowcap
Microchera albocoronata
Tiny hummingbird; male is unique and beautiful: his body is the color of red wine, and he has a bright white cap. Unmistakable in limited range. Female is less striking, but note small size, snowy white underparts, and short straight bill. Most often seen feeding at small purple flowers in gardens and forest edges
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