The tui 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 Bellbird and the Stitchbird, they feed on a mixture of nectar, fruit, and insects. They are the dominant honeyeater in New Zealand, being aggressive and pugnacious, which accounts for their successful survival on the mainland throughout NZ.  They vigorously chase other Tui and other species from their feeding and breeding territories which they strongly defend.  They are often seen diving vertically at great speed whilst chasing birds.

The Tui is a dark coloured bird, almost black at first glance but is in fact an iridescent green with a reddish brown back.  It has two white throat tuffs forming a bib under it's chin.  The neck has a lacy white collar of very fine white feathers.

The Tui has a very noisy whirring flight which is very fast, swooping and undulating.  It has a variety of calls, consisting of rich, fluid, melodious notes intermixed with croaks, coughs, clicks, grunts, wheezes, squeaks, and chuckles.  They have been heard to mimic other species.

Tuis have always existed on Tiritiri Matangi and the population continues to grow every year.   Many of them form loose flocks in the winter and fly to winter feeding sites, sometimes as far as 20 kms away, returning in the summer.

Photography by:  Peter Craw © (Tui on manuka - top left), Max McRae © (Tui on flax, bottom right)

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