Information for Senior Secondary

Tui

• Maori name is Mohua – Parson Bird
• Its order is Passeriformes and its family is Meliphagidae
• Found throughout NZ though colours slightly change from region to region
• Males tend to be larger than the female
• Known as the parson bird because of the white tuft on its neck
• Largest honey eater, related to the Bellbird
• Their diet is varied but includes nectar, honey and fruit from trees like Puriri, Kowhai, Rewarewa, Flax, Pohutukawa
• Basically, black feathered bird shines blue/green in the sun with white tuft on its neck
• Enjoys the company of the Bellbird, Wood Pigeon and Silver Eye
• Very boisterous, loud bird that likes showing off
• Strong powerful bird especially in spring
• Especially loves nectar/honey from the flax and kowhai flowers
• Produces 2-4 white/pink eggs with brown spots
• Eggs are laid from September to January
• Female does all the nesting, the male helps feed the chicks
• Again the threats are possums, rats, stoats and hawks
• The nests are constructed by the female, they are rough and bulky made of twigs, sticks and grass
• Tuis are aggressive and will defend their territory
• They pollinate the flowering plants and disperse seeds all over the forest in their droppings
• Can imitate sounds so its song changes frequently
• Their song can be prolonged and interspersed with coughs and grunts.  In flight repetitive screams