Manu Māori / Birds of New Zealand

Moho pererū / banded rail

MOHO PERERŪ Rallus philippensis

The moho pereru / banded rail are native to New Zealand and a secretive bird. It is said they are best spotted at dusk and dawn, or during heavy rain.

Moho pereru are aquatic birds and inhabit the wetlands throughout Aotearoa, New Zealand. They are an at risk species and although their numbers are declining they are still common.

The voice is a creaky swit-swit or a high-pitched quee-quee often heard at dusk.

OTHER NAMES

Mioweka, konini, kata tei, buff-banded rail

Moho pereru / banded rail videos

  • Battle for the Banded Rail

  • Battle for the Banded Rail - Waimea Inlet, Predator Free NZ

Kererū / New Zealand pigeon

KERERŪ Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae

The kererū is a large bird and the noisy flutter of its wings is a distinctive sound in the forest. They are found widespread throughout the country particularly in forested areas and where there is pest control.

Kererū eat buds, leaves, flowers, fruit from a wide variety species. Important leaf sources are those of kōwhai, tree lucerne, broom, willows, elms and poplars.

The Kererū's song is a sing soft, but sometimes quite penetrating , ku.

OTHER NAMES

Kereru, kukupa, kuku, wood pigeon, native pigeon, kokopa.

Kereru / New Zealand pigeon

  • No Title

  • The Big Bold and beautiful New Zealand native " Kereru "

Tūī / parson bird

TŪĪ Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae

Tūī are unique to New Zealand and belong to the honeyeater family. They are boisterous, common and widespread bird of forest and suburbia. They are black but in good light have a blue, green sheen and a distinctive white throat.

Tūi diet varies depending on the seasonal availability of nectar and fruits. They also eat large invertebrates such as cicadas and stick insects.

The tūī's song closely resembles that of the korimako (bellbird) and like the korimako varies song from district to district.

OTHER NAMES

Tui, tūī, parson bird, koko

Tūi / parson bird

  • Tui singing

  • TUI BIRD SOUNDS & CALLS: Singing & Calling of Tui Birds in the Bush

  • Woof Woof the talking tui

Mātuku / Australasian bittern

  • Australasian bittern - New Zealand Bird of the Week

Mātuku / Australasian bittern

MĀTUKU Botaurus poiciloptilus

The endangered mātuku are rarely seen due to their secretive behaviour. They inhabit wetlands throughout Aotearoa, New Zealand.

They eat mainly fish, including eelsm but they also take spiders, insects, worms, frogs, lizards and freshwater crayfish.

OTHER NAMES

Matuku hūrepo, boomer, brown bittern