Tui

Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae - Tui cravate-frisée Méliphage tui

Systematics

Order
:
Passeriformes
Family
:
Méliphagidés
Genus
:
Prosthemadera
Species
:
novaeseelandiae

Descriptor

Gmelin, JF, 1788

Biometrics

Size
: 32 cm
Wingspan
: -
Weight
: 58 à 150 g

Geographic range

Distribution

Identification

Unmissable! In nature, the tie (really two tufts of white feathers under the throat) stands out well from the totally dark plumage, appearing black at a distance. In fact, the plumage is of a very dark olive green with purple reflections on the head. Curious filamentous white feathers cover the neck. The remiges are black with beautiful bluish reflections. The eye is red, the legs bluish, the beak black. The two sexes are similar. The young have a duller plumage without white feathers under the throat or on the neck.

Subspecific information 2 subspecies

Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae novaeseelandiae (New Zealand, Auckland, Stewart and Kermadec Is.)
Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae chathamensis (Chatham Is.)

Foreign names

Tui cravate-frisée,
Mielero tui,
papa-mel-azulado,
Tuihonigfresser,
tui,
Toei,
Tui,
tui,
Tuihonningeter,
medárik kazateľ,
tui zpěvný,
Præstefugl,
tui,
menjamel tui,
kędziornik,
Новозеландский туи,
エリマキミツスイ,
簇胸吸蜜鸟,
tui,
紐西蘭吸蜜鳥,

Voice song and cries

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The song varies regionally. It is a suite of melodic phrases interspersed with various types of sounds, more or less grating. Both sexes sing and often do so in duet. It is also a perfect imitator of the other species living alongside it.

Habitat

Essentially the native forests but also the agricultural regions where we find Sephora or the New Zealand flax. Like the bellbird, I was able to spot them in the parks in the Auckland region.

Behaviour character trait

The species is typically regarded as sedentary, but it does perform more or less regular post-breeding movements. As such, Tuis disappear from Tiritiri Matangi Island after the breeding season, heading to the nearby large North Island.

Dietfeeding habits

Tui mostly consumes nectar and honey to which it adds invertebrates, seeds and fruits depending on the season. It usually looks for food either alone or in pairs, primarily in the canopy or just below it. After the breeding season, large groups of Tui can be seen in places where food is abundant.

Reproduction nesting

The beginning of reproduction coincides with the start of nectar production by native vegetation, particularly New Zealand flax (Phormium tenax).

Generally, the breeding season lasts from October to January. The male occasionally helps the female with constructing the nest which is a rough cup (with an outer diameter of up to 30 cm) made up of all sorts of vegetable debris; the nest is built in a bush or a tree between 1.5 and 24 m high. The female lays two to four eggs (sometimes five) which she incubates alone for just under two weeks. Both sexes feed the chicks which on average remain in the nest for 15 days, a period varying between 11 and 23 days depending on the location and weather conditions. If the female lays a second clutch, the male volunteers to look after the first brood alone.

Geographic range

Endemic to New Zealand, the Tui can be found in the three main islands, though it has been absent from much of the eastern half of the South Island.

Threats - protection

IUCN conservation status

Extinct

Threatened

Least
concern

Extinc
in the Wild

Near
threatened

Not
evaluated

EX EW CR EN VU NT LC NE

The Tui seems unconcerned. However, its population has decreased throughout the 20th century, decrease likely due to various factors such as deforestation, introduction of predatory mammals, as well as competing birds such as the Blackbird, the Starling, or the Rainbow Lorikeet.