More plaudits for Tiritiri Matangi
Date posted: 15-Jul-2019
Recognition of the wonderful experience visitors have when visiting the Island h..
Results of the 2019 Photo Competition
Date posted: 15-Jul-2019
The results of this year's competition have now been decided. Click here (/2019-photo-co..
Lighthouse Open Day
Date posted: 30-Apr-2019
Our historic lighthouse, signal station and diaphonic foghorn will all be on dis..
We need a new Treasurer
Date posted: 08-Apr-2019
The Supporters need a new treasurer to take over in September when Kevin Vaughan..
2019 Concert
Date posted: 05-Feb-2019
OrigiNZ, the tartan taonga are returning for the 2019 concert.
Click..
Tiri's three unique foghorns
Date posted: 01-Feb-2019
Our next social event will take place on Monday 18th March when Carl Hayson and ..
Young Conservation Superstars win awards!
Date posted: 27-Jan-2019
Gabriel Barbosa and teacher Kate Asher, a team leader who co..
Entries for the 2019 photo competition
Date posted: 19-Jan-2019
We are now taking entries for the 2019 photographic competition. You can enter u..
Hihi volunteer needed
Date posted: 18-Oct-2018
Would you like to volunteer with the Island's hihi team and learn from them how ..
2019 Calendars now available
Date posted: 05-Sep-2018
The new 2019 calendars are now available and this year's is better than ever! Th..
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.