“Tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) is a honeyeater endemic to New Zealand. It appears black with a characteristic white lace collar formed by white feathers. The black feathers appear iridescent when seen from different angles. A pair of white feathers at the throat gives away its identity even when viewed from an unfavourable light angle.
“It is a rather noisy bird with varied vocalization. Like the lyre bird of Australian fame, it is capable of imitating other sounds it has been exposed to – from other bird songs to mechanical sounds generated by man.
“This bird was seen feeding on nectar from the New Zealand flax (Phormium sp.) at Waitangi Park, Wellington. Pollens from the flax flowers dust its forehead an orange colour.”
Teo Lee Wei & K
Singapore 24th December 2014
Note: Image by Johnny Wee
