2018 Concert coming up soon
Date posted: 15-Feb-2018
Our 2018 concert will feature an afternoon of light classics and jazz courtesy of the Auckland Ph..
Wetapunga talk coming soon
Date posted: 05-Feb-2018
For the Social on 19 March the speaker will be Ben Goodwin of Auckland Zoo, who will talk about t..
Rat caught and now takahe released from pens
Date posted: 28-Jan-2018
Thankfully DOC staff Andre de Graaf and Polly Hall and their assistants have trapped the rat whic..
Your Christmas Shopping for a Song
Date posted: 04-Dec-2017
Aka - The Grand Christmas Shopping Expedition to Tiritiri Matangi Island Shop
Dreading..
2018 Photo Comp opens for entries
Date posted: 27-Nov-2017
The 2018 Photo Competition is now open for entries. Click here (/2018-photo-competition-tiritiri-mat..
New reports on ruru nesting and Island conservation
Date posted: 02-Oct-2017
Two new reports have been added to the website.
The first gives details of a summer students..
2018 calendars now available
Date posted: 27-Sep-2017
Our latest calendar, beautifully illustrated with images taken on the Island, is now available fo..
Guided walks for photographers
Date posted: 21-Jun-2017
For a wonderful day of wildlife photography please join us on Tiritiri Matangi Island for a Ph..
Ferry discounts for Supporters
Date posted: 18-May-2017
Tiritiri Matangi Island, the perfect winter's day trip. The birds are at their best, warm up w..
More kiwi for the Island
Date posted: 04-Apr-2017
In 1993 and 1995, sixteen little spotted kiwi were released on Tiritiri Matangi Island. The ma..
Tui
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Scientific name: |
Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae |
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Conservation status: |
Endemic. Not threatened |
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Mainland status: |
Common throughout NZ |
| Size: | 30cm, 120g (males), 90g (females) |
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Lifespan: |
Oldest recorded 12+ Years |
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Breeding: |
September - January |
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Diet: |
Mainly nectar and fruit, some invertebrates |
| Status on Tiritiri Matangi: | Abundant |
Tūī 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 tūī and other species from their feeding and breeding territories, which they strongly defend. They are often seen diving vertically at great speed when chasing birds.
The tūī 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 tufts forming a bib under its chin. The neck has a lacy white collar of very fine white feathers.
The tūī has a very noisy whirring flight which is very fast, swooping and undulating. It controls the sound of its flight using a notch on one of its primary feathers. It has a variety of calls, consisting of rich, fluid, melodious notes intermixed with croaks, coughs, clicks, grunts, wheezes, squeaks, buzzes and chuckles. They are often heard to mimic other species.
Tūī 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. They quickly take over any flowering tree, especially kōwhai, five-finger or rewarewa, keeping other birds away if they can. Visitors to the Island are given excellent views of tūī competing for position at the sugar feeder at the Visitor Centre.
Find out more about tūī at New Zealand Birds Online.
Photography by: Peter Craw © (Tui on mānuka - top right), Max McRae © (Tui on flax, bottom left)
References: Heather, B.D.; Robertson, H.A. 2000 The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. Auckland, Viking.