Other names: Parson bird, Poe bee-eater, New Zealand creeper, Mocking bird.
The Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) is a native to New Zealand and have entered our national consciousness like no other New Zealand bird. It is one of the largest members of the diverse honey eater family. Their size is 30 cm male and a 120 gm, female at 90 gm. Looks black in dull light, but has green, bluish-purple and bronze iridescent sheen, back and flanks dark reddish brown; with two white throat tufts (poi), a lacy collar of filamentous white feathers on neck; white wing bar; slightly curved black bill and strong black legs. Sexes are alike.
Juveniles are more of a dull slate black with glossy wings and tail, however until maturity they lack chin tufts.
They are energetic and acrobatic while feeding in trees on nectar and fruit. They are very noisy birds, always “carrying on”, chortling and chuckling, before bursting into a marvellous song.
The Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) is a native to New Zealand and have entered our national consciousness like no other New Zealand bird. It is one of the largest members of the diverse honey eater family. Their size is 30 cm male and a 120 gm, female at 90 gm. Looks black in dull light, but has green, bluish-purple and bronze iridescent sheen, back and flanks dark reddish brown; with two white throat tufts (poi), a lacy collar of filamentous white feathers on neck; white wing bar; slightly curved black bill and strong black legs. Sexes are alike.
Juveniles are more of a dull slate black with glossy wings and tail, however until maturity they lack chin tufts.
They are energetic and acrobatic while feeding in trees on nectar and fruit. They are very noisy birds, always “carrying on”, chortling and chuckling, before bursting into a marvellous song.
