Streak-headed Honeyeater

A medium-sized songbird endemic to New Zealand, confined to predator-free offshore islands and South Island mainland sanctuaries. Glossy black plumage with distinct chestnut saddle across the back, which gives the bird its name. Note the bright reddish-orange wattles on either side of the bill. Juveniles have smaller wattles and are chocolate brown for their first year. Listen for distinct calls resembling a blaring “cheeet ta-chet ta-chet ta-chet” sound. Constantly moves noisily as it restlessly forages on the floor and through the canopy. Flicks over leaves and digs into rotting logs with its strong bill in search of invertebrates. Distinguished from Eurasian Blackbird by chestnut saddle and wattles.

Chunky, dark brown quail of cloud forest and elfin forest. Dark brown body is spotted white below; black bandit mask and reddish crown are distinctive. May be found singly, in pairs, or in small groups. Quite secretive, and often goes undetected until flushed suddenly from nearly underfoot. Forages on the ground, climbing over mossy tree roots and scraping aside leaves with its feet to look for small prey. Listen for its low caroling song given at dusk, an often duetted “dwee-put, dwee-put….”

A distinctive whistler of dark, dingy appearance. Body color is a dank mossy olive, with a slate-gray throat and a black cap. Hood often appears one-colored in forest light. Female is golden below and olive above with a gray head and a white throat. Mainly found in primary forest above 1100 meters of elevation, but does wander lower. Occurs together with Oriole Whistler, but differs in the male’s lack of a bright golden throat, neck, and belly and the female’s olive back and unstreaked underparts. Voice includes a sequence of loud, almost electronic staccato whistles.