Tui
Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae
A large, dark nectar feeder endemic to New Zealand. Easily distinguished by two curled white feather tufts (“poi”) visible on the throat. Tail and wings have blue, purple, and green iridescence. Found throughout much of New Zealand, including Auckland, Kermadec, and Chatham Islands, though mostly absent from Canterbury. Favors native forest and scrub, also venturing into suburban parks, farmland, and rural gardens. Often detected by its unique voice consisting of melodious notes intermixed with croaks, coughs, clicks, and wheezes. Also listen for its noisy whirring flight. Similar to male Eurasian Blackbird, but easily identified by its white throat feathers and iridescence. Song can be easily confused with that of a bellbird, but listen for distinct loud coughs, grunts, and wheezes in Tui song.
Identification
A large, dark nectar feeder endemic to New Zealand. Easily distinguished by two curled white feather tufts (“poi”) visible on the throat. Tail and wings have blue, purple, and green iridescence. Found throughout much of New Zealand, including Auckland, Kermadec, and Chatham Islands, though mostly absent from Canterbury. Favors native forest and scrub, also venturing into suburban parks, farmland, and rural gardens. Often detected by its unique voice consisting of melodious notes intermixed with croaks, coughs, clicks, and wheezes. Also listen for its noisy whirring flight. Similar to male Eurasian Blackbird, but easily identified by its white throat feathers and iridescence. Song can be easily confused with that of a bellbird, but listen for distinct loud coughs, grunts, and wheezes in Tui song.
Taxonomy
Genus: Prosthemadera; Family: Meliphagidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae
- Authority
- (Gmelin, JF, 1788)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Meliphagidae
- Genus
- Prosthemadera
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Malagasy White-eye
Zosterops maderaspatanus
Small, sharp-billed, warbler-like bird. Note yellow patches on the throat and undertail, and bold white spectacles around the eye. Found in all types of forest, and less commonly in scrub, gardens, and plantations. Usually found in hyperactive flocks that can contain dozens of individuals. Often joins mixed flocks of other small birds. Most common call is a high-pitched, rising rattle. Song is a quiet, chatty sequence of “chew” notes. Shows bright yellow patches and white spectacles, unlike any jery. Smaller and more brightly colored than any tetraka.
Levaillant's Woodpecker
Picus vaillantii
A medium-sized green woodpecker with a gray face, black mustache, and pale eye; the only green woodpecker in its range. Similar to Iberian Green Woodpecker, found across the Strait of Gibraltar, but ranges do not overlap. Breeds in open dry forest and adjacent wooded parks and plantations in the mountains and foothills of the Atlas range; often in areas with oaks and conifers. Gives a loud, laughter-like “kee-hahahaha”, as well as a series of short “tik” notes. Often gives a fast, even drum.
Gray-headed Lovebird
Agapornis canus
Dinky, short-tailed green parrot. Males have a gray head, while females are plain green. Found most commonly in dry forest at low elevation in the north and west of Madagascar. Occurs much less commonly in the east and center, and at higher elevations. Uses open forest, scrub, plantations, and other fairly open habitats. Call is a zesty “vhit,” often given in flight.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.