July 31, 2011 - Tiritiri Matangi Island (New Zealand)

Saddlebacks are members of the New Zealand wattlebird family. (Note the bright red wattle at the base of the bill). Before European settlement, Saddlebacks were widespread on all of New Zealand’s main islands. However, they were very vulnerable to predation by rats that stowed away on ships. By the late 1800s, people began to notice that the Saddlebacks were missing from large areas of New Zealand. By the early 1960s, these birds were found only on a few small islands where rats had not been introduced. Efforts have been made to reintroduce them to predator-free areas like Tiritiri Matangi and they are gradually making progress.

SaddlebackTiritiriMatangiIsland20110427

The Red-crowned Parakeet (also known as the Red-fronted Parakeet) is another species that was widespread on the mainland but was heavily predated by introduced mammals. A few can still be found on the main islands but they do much better on predator-free islands like Tiritiri Matangi. These parakeets are about 11 inches long and the natives call them Kakariki. They feed mainly on seeds, berries, buds, and shoots and form flocks in winter.

ParakeetRedfrontedcrownedTiritiriMatangiIsland20110427

The Brown Quail, also known as Swamp Quail, is actually an introduced species. We only got a quick look at them. They are quite small, about 7 inches, and difficult to see because they tend to stay on the ground in heavy cover.

QuailSwampBrownTiritiriMatangiIsland20110427

The Stitchbird (this is a male) was originally found only on the North Island. It, too, suffered from the introduction of mammalian predators. As early as 1885, it was virtually extinct; surviving only on Little Barrier Island. Like the other endangered birds, it has recently been introduced to predator-free areas and is making a comeback. Notice the bands on his left leg.

StitchbirdmaleTiritiriMatangiIsland20110427

This is a female Stitchbird. Like many bird species, she is less colorful than the male. Presumably this helps her be less noticeable when she is sitting on her nest. The Stitchbird is a nectar eater and also eats berries and small insects.

StitchbirdfemaleTiritiriMatangiIsland20110427

The Takahe is a large (25 inches) flightless member of the rail family. For about 100 years they were thought to be extinct. Then, in 1948, a group of about 200 pairs was found in Fiordland. They continued to decline in numbers to a low of about 100 birds. They are still very threatened but have been introduced to some of the predator-free areas. The most recent information I was able to find says they have increased to about 200 birds.

TakaheTiritiriMatangiIsland20110427

The Tui is a fairly common native species. In poor light it can look black with a white “bow tie.” In good light you can tell it is actually brown, with beautiful iridescent wings, head, and tail; the “bow tie” is two large curled white plumes. Also note the narrow white feathers that form a lacy collar around the back of its neck. As a member of the honeyeater family, the Tui depends on flower nectar for much of its food. This makes it an important flower pollinator. Tuis also eat a large number of insects, especially when feeding their chicks.

I have several galleries on my web site showing all my photos from our New Zealand trip. Here’s a link to those galleries. http://www.earlorfphotos.com/NewZealandTrip-April2011

TuiTiritiriMatangiIsland20110427