Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae)
Last Modified: 15-3-2019 14:23
© Christopher Cookson License this image
Tui are one of New Zealand's most commonly seen endemic bird species. They can be seen in various locations around Marlborough, including within the Wither Hills Farm Park, and parts of the Marlborough Sounds.
Tui are predominantly nectar feeders, commonly seen on flax and kowhai during flowering season, however they will also eat fruit and insects in season. In spite of the destruction of much of their native habitat, tui have been able to adapt, as many introduced plants such as eucalypts provide a good source of nectar. Tui are an important pollinator of native plants due to their nectar feeding habit.
From a distance, Tui appear black, but in good light, they appear irridescent blue green. They are somewhat larger than blackbirds, and have a distinctive tuneful call interrupted by grunts and clicks.
This tui was observed feeding on flax at Robin Hood Bay.
Image Date: 2/1/2019
Photographer: Christopher Cookson
Location: Latitude: -41.355232 Longitude: 174.078156