The stitchbird is a member of the honeyeater family, and as such has a curved bill and a long tongue, frayed at the end like a brush, which is used to reach deeply into flowers and drink nectar. Like the other two New Zealand honeyeaters, the Tui and the Bellbird, they feed on a mixture of nectar, fruit, and insects.  The stitchbird is the lowest in the pecking order of the three honeyeaters and will only be permitted to feed on low-grade sources of nectar when the tui and bellbird are also present.  On Tiritiri Matangi their diet is supplemented with nectar water placed in feeding stations located in areas frequented by stitchbirds.

The stitchbird is sexually dimorphic, the males being larger and more colourful than the female.  The male has a velvety black head, upper breast and back, with white tufts behind the eyes, a bright yellow border across the breast and folded wings, with pale brown underparts.  The female is a greyish brown with white wingbars.

Unlike the tui and bellbird, the stitchbird makes its nest in tree holes, being one of just two species of honeyeaters worldwide to do so.  It is also New Zealand's only known polygynandrous breeding bird, whereby two or more males and two or more females nest together. 

The adult male has a loud explosive whistle 'see-si-ip' and both sexes give the familiar loud 'stitch' note.  They also have a penetrating alarm call 'yeng-yeng-yeng', similar to the bellbird's but higher pitched.

Stitchbirds have been extinct on the mainland since 1885 and now survive on just a few outlying islands.  Between 1885 and 1980 they survived only on Little Barrier Island.  Stitchbirds were first released on Tiri in 1995 and have successfully bred.  The population on Tiri is now over 100 birds, with a total population of around 3000.

Photography by:  Peter Craw © (Male-top left and bottom right, Female-top right).

References: Heather, B.D.; Robertson, H.A. 2000 The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. Auckland, Viking.