TUI BIRD (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae)
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.
