Australasian Birds

Meliphagidae : Honeyeaters

Tui

Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae

Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand - November 2005

The Tui's diet mainly consists of nectar, which it collects from flowers using it's long tongue. During breeding season and whenever there is a shortage of nectar-producing flowers they supplement their diet with insects and fruit.

Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand - November 2005

They are highly territorial and spend a large amount of time noisily chasing rivals off their territories. In flight, the characteristic loud fluttering noise, which is often your first clue that a Tui is in the area, is caused by a notch in the 8th primary creating turbulence around the wingtip.

Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand - November 2005

The yellow patch often seen on the foreheads of Tuis and Bellbirds is not a plumage feature. It is, in fact, pollen staining. Both Tui and Bellbird are important pollinators for many of New Zealand's native flowering trees and shrubs.

Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand - November 2005