TUI BIRD

TUI BIRD (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) – (See images below)
The Tui bird is endemic to New Zealand. It is about 12 inches long, looks like it is black but the feathers are actually iridescent dark blue and green. The bird has a small tuft of white feathers hanging from the throat. It is not threatened and has adapted to city parks and residential areas. The tui bird has a wide variety of songs and calls, and can even imitate the human voice. Because it is a honeyeater, it is easily attracted to nectar feeders provided by humans. The birds shown below were photographed at Te-Kainga-Marire, a private garden in New Plymouth, on the North Island. The garden owners provide the nectar only when the natural sources of food for the birds is in short supply.

Tui bird at Te Kainga Marire, a private garden in New Plymouth, NZ - by Denise Motard, Feb. 2013
Tui bird, Te Kainga Marire, NZ
Tui birds at nectar feeder, Te Kainga Marire, NZ - by Denise Motard, Feb. 2013
Tui birds at nectar feeder, NZ
Tui birds on nectar feeder, Te Kainga Marire, NZ - by Denise Motard, Feb. 2013
Tui birds on nectar feeder, NZ
Tui bird sipping nectar – Te Kainga Marire, New Plymouth, NZ - by Denise Motard, Feb. 2013
Tui bird sipping nectar, New Plymouth NZ
Tui bird handmade nectac feeder, New Plymouth, NZ - by Denise Motard, Feb. 2013
The Tui bird handmade nectar feeder, NZ