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The Brown Kiwi (pronounced"key-wee") is our national symbol, a flightless nocturnal bird found predominantly in northern and western parts of the nation, as well as Stewart Island. Outer islands are being used more and more to grow the population, as on those islands we can eradicate their predators, the rats, stoats, and possums. The Kiwi is quite unique. Its nostrils are at the end of its long beak, which it prods into the ground to forage for worms, grubs and berries. It digs its nest within dense forest vegetation, often making a burrow in a bank or under a log. It normally lays one very large egg. Help Save the Kiwi - purchase these Save the Kiwi products and a donation is generated to the Bank of New Zealand Kiwi Recovery Trust. Buy a Sterling Silver Kiwi Charm here .
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The Tui ( pronounced"to-ee") appears to be black when it flies above you in the forest, but in fact has plumage of dark bronze, green and purple. What makes it particularly gorgeous is its tuft of white feathers at the throat, which is why it is also called the Parson Bird. The tui loves to drink the nectar from flowers and bushes, particularly flax and kowhai flowers. It also likes fruit, which is why you can see him in your garden, loudly chasing away other birds. We love them to chase away the (introduced) Mynah birds, as the Tui's song is far more beautiful than a Mynah bird's squawk. The Tui has an unusual song, too hard to describe here. One minute he might be making a squeaking or croaking noise, and the next he is into a much more beautiful, resonating sound. If you ever come to Whangarei, you should go see "Woof'-Woof" at the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre. When you stand outside his cage, you would swear the manager of the centre, Robert Webb, was talking to you thru an intercom. But no, it's Woof-Woof repeating some of Robert's conversations. Just bits of conversations, so you feel like you're listening to a faulty intercom. And the voice - a perfectly ordinary man's voice coming out of the beak of a tui!!! View our beautiful Tui Sterling Silver Charm. |  |
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The Fantail is a small bird and a favourite in our garden. It seems to fly in when we walk out into the garden, daringly flitting around our heads. The bird feeds exclusively on insects, caught in flight. They are very quick, flitting about and not staying still for more than a few seconds. The use of their tail ( up and down, spread and shut) allows them to turn and twist and follow their prey. |  |
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The Wood Pigeon, Maori name "Kereru" ( pronounced Ke as in "kept", re as in "rest", ru as in "ruby"), is a large bird by New Zealand standards, and a beauty too. It has a white belly, with the upper feathers and chest being irridescent shades of blue, green and purple. In pre-European days, Kereru were trapped by the Maori, as they were an important food source in a country lacking in mammals. The bird is now protected. It feeds mostly on forest berries, and they are vital to the ecology of our forests, as they spread the seeds of many species. In July 2005, Kereru were found in suburban Whangarei ( where I live), aimlessly lying on the ground or precariously perched in low-lying branches. The cause of this peculiar behaviour was traced to what they were eating. A harsh winter had meant fewer forest berries, so the birds had "come to town" to eat. They chose guava fruit, which unfortunately fermented in their stomachs and made them drunk! The birds were captured and taken to a local Bird Recovery Centre until they detoxed. Buy a Wood Pigeon Ceramic Tile here.
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The Pukeko, (pronounced Pu as "poo", ke as in "kept", ko as "core") seems a rather daft bird, hanging out around the roadside and frequently meeting their end under the tyres of a car. They certainly haven't adapted to modern man. But what they have adapted to is the loss of swampland, their natural habitat, and instead they frequent the swampy drainage ditches alongside the roads. The birds live together in a group, and will collectively defend their territory against predators such as stoats and rats. Their plumage is black feathers at the back, with a beautiful blue at the front, and big, gawky red legs. Buy a cute Pukeko Soft Toy here. |  |
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