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Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand - November 2005
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| The diet of Tuis 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. |
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Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand - November 2005
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| 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. |
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Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand - November 2005
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| 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. |
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