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NZ Tui
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
I am a little disappointed to get the flower stem from the flax across the front of the Tui, but this is one of the annoyances of bird/wildlife photography.
Tui (Parson Bird) Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae
They are found throughout New Zealand and on offshore islands.
Habitat They live in forests, towns, yards, and on offshore islands. They are common.
Body Traits They are dark colored with a shiny blue green sheen to their feathers. They have a white tuft under their throat.
Habits They have a very pretty song. Their song is often how people know they are around even if they are not seen. They can mimic the calls of other birds. Their calls sometimes sound like cackles or barks or even clicks. They will defend their territory against hawks, several of them attacking it at once to scare it off. This is called “mobbing” and helps drive bigger birds off. They are preyed on by possums, wild cats, rats, and weasels (stoats) which have been introduced to their habitat by man.
Diet They eat flower nectar (they are in the honeyeater family) and sometimes insects. They travel a long way to find the flowers they want.
Reproduction Males display, flying in large arcs and then diving to attract a mate. Females build nests from twigs and grass.
IMAGE INFORMATION
Camera: Canon 1D Mklll
Time of day: 07:50 a.m.
Date: 2nd January 2009
Weather conditions: Cloudy
Lens: Canon 100-400mm L IS USM
Filter: Hoya 77mm UV
Shutter Speed: 1/300
F-Stop: F/5.6
Focal Length: 400mm
Support: Hand Held
ISO: 200
Original file type: Digital Raw |
ferranjlloret, red45 has marked this note useful
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Hi Pam,
Good capture, interesting species and document. TFS. Best regards. Ferran.
- red45
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2703 W: 74 N: 8857]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(30219) - [2009-01-14 11:40]
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Hello Pam!
Agree with you, pity that this fire-like flower covered Tui. But bird itself looks very good. It must be very fast and active. Excellent face and pose.
Hi Pam,
Your shot has really brought out that brown on the head, which I've never really seen in the wild. They always look black to me :)
Shame about the flax flower, but at least it shows one of their favourite foods.
Nice capture.
Cheers
Steve
