Running Coua

A medium-sized honeyeater of forest interior from the lowlands to the mid-mountains. Long bill out of proportion with the rest of the body. Brown upperparts, grayish underparts and head with a red eye. Skulking and sometimes only seen flying across the road. Similar to Meyer’s Friarbird and Tawny-breasted Honeyeater, but Long-billed has a longer, thinner bill, a red rather than dark eye and lacks Tawny-breasted’s facial stripe. Call, a nasal, raspy, downslurred “reeeeuuuuww!” note.

A spectacular cuckooshrike that resembles an oriole, with a yellow-green back, wings and tail, a dark head and bill, and large fleshy orange wattles under the eyes. The sexes differ: the underparts of the male are apricot and those of the female are yellow; she also has a less contrasting brownish head. Juvenile is like the female but barred above, with a less distinct head pattern. A rare bird found singly and in pairs in the canopy of primary and secondary lowland forest, often near water. Moves stealthily through the canopy, where it joins mixed-species parties; flight call is a thrush-like “tsik.” Differs from forest orioles by having a dark (not red) bill and fleshy wattles under the eyes.  

The world's only true alpine parrot, found only on the South Island of New Zealand. Large, with olive-green plumage. Note scarlet underwings visible in flight. Females are smaller than males with shorter bills. Juveniles have a yellow eye-ring and a paler crown. Gives a distinct loud “keee-aaa” call, mostly in flight. Very inquisitive toward people and their cars within the mountain ranges, at ski fields, at huts, and along mountain roads. Distinguished from New Zealand Kaka by blue-green flight feathers, larger size, and alpine habitat.