The Tui is one of my favourite native birds, because of its beauty and its amazing song.  Just one aspect of its singing "vocabulary" is available to you by squeezing this Tui Plush Toy.  It makes an amazing array of sounds, all beautiful to listen to.

This lovely plush Tui Toy measures approximately 15cm (6") tall.  There is amazing attention to detail, making it a very lifelike toy.

The Tui ( Prosthemadera novaseelandiae) is a member of the honey eaters, possessing a brush tipped tongue to collect nectar from flax, kowhai flowers, etc.  It also feeds on insects, and defends its territory aggressively.

The Tui is a noisy bird in flight and in song.  It has striking iconic melodies mixed with croaks, squeaks, and all manner of sounds.  It is also a clever mimic of other bird calls, and in the case of the Tui at the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre, a great mimic of humans.

The Tui appears black but on closer inspection, is various irridescent greens with a reddish brown back, topped with a white flecked shawl.  Two white tufts on its throat have earned it the common name of "Parsons bird".