Antics: Sound Bird - Tui

The Tui is a member of the honey eaters, possessing a brush tipped tongue to collect nectar from flax etc.

It also feeds on insects and defends its territory aggressively. The Tui is a noisy bird in flight and in song. It has striking iconic melodies mixed with croaks squeaks and all manner of sounds. It is also a clever mimic of other bird calls.

The Tui appears black but, on closer inspection, is various iridescent greens with a reddish brown back topped with a white flecked shawl. Most characteristic are two white tufts on its throat that earned it the name the Parson bird.