The Tui (Prosthemadera Novae-Zelandiae)
The tui is a species of the honeyeater bird, native to New Zealand. It belongs to the Meliphagidae family of honeyeaters, and is one of the most common and easily recognised birds in Aotearoa. With its brown body, white tips on its wings, black head, and a distinctive tuft of white and black feathers on its throat, tui can be seen foraging in various trees and plants in and around New Zealand.
In Maori culture, it is said that when the tui speaks it is giving a waiata – a singing tribute – to the gods. The tui’s call of ‘whirring noises, warbles and trills’ has been described as a ‘rich sonorous song’, by experts in this species. As the tui is an omnivore, its diet consists of over 35 different types of flowers, fruits, nectar, insects and larvae. This plays an important role as the tui helps pollinate and disperse the seeds of many native plants, helping to regenerate and preserve the native forests of New Zealand.
The tui is a vital asset to the ecology of New Zealand, but unfortunately, they are now listed as ‘at risk’ by the Department of Conservation. This is mainly due to habitat destruction, as introduced predator species such as cats, rats, possums, and stoats, along with deforestation and urbanisation have put a significant amount of strain on the tui population. Consequently, the number of tui is decreasing.
Though there are various methods of protection, the most effective one is intervention. DOC-run rehabilitation centres have taught how to bandage and heal injured birds, while regenerating native forests with tree plantations of species, such as tī kōuka, has helped create suitable habitats for these birds to thrive in. Individuals and environmental organisations have also shifted focus from native plants to their reintroduction and conservation.
Rainforest birds such as the tui are also highly susceptible to avian disease, which is another reason why tui conservation is so important. Thankful to initiatives like the 9 year long ‘Tui and Bellbird Project’, not-for-profit organisations are now actively working together with Māori, and its communities, to identify the challenges and threats that are still faced by tui. Through their efforts, they hope to one day restore tui populations back to their earlier levels.
The tui is a species worth protecting and preserving, as it is integral to New Zealand’s ecological health and cultural identity. For example, Tui was featured in a documentary ‘Taketu mai te whenua – Land of Birds’. This documentary highlighted the beauty and importance of bird species native to New Zealand and reinforced the need for effective tui conservation.
Diet & Behaviour
The Tui is a large-sized honeyeater bird with an omnivorous diet, as they feed on nectar, fruits, insects and larvae. During the day they fly into neighbourhoods in search for food, often visiting gardens where humans provide them with a reliable source of food. The birds have been observed finding food at different levels of the canopy, from the upper branches of trees to foliage in dense undergrowth. They have also been spotted drinking from bird baths and pools.
Tui are also known to be very affectionate when in a pair, and they are the only species in New Zealand to exhibit ‘dance-like’ courtship behaviours. They use a wide range of vocalisations, including melodic songs to call for their mate, sounds of contentment, alarm calls and conversational tweets. It is believed that these vocalisations are used to strengthen the bond between the two birds and help synchronise their behaviour.
Tui are also known to have long associations with certain trees, where they may have a small home. They use their beaks to create a nest by removing bark and lichens and carrying them in their beaks. Here, they will breed for a short amount of time. After the breeding period, tui will move to other trees until they find an appropriate feeding tree to start their next brood.
Tui & The Environment
As nectarivores, tui help support and maintain a healthy environment by dispersing the seeds of native flora. They are also great pollinators of New Zealand’s native insects and thus have an important role in sustaining biodiversity of our local ecosystems. As mentioned earlier, developments such as deforestation, urbanisation and introduced predator species have significantly threatened the tui population. So, maintaining suitable and safe habitats for tui is pivotal to tui conservation.
In line with this, individuals, organisations and local councils have initiated measures to regenerate the native forests. This includes restoring indigenous flora and fauna, reintroducing native tree species (such as tī kōuka) and installing new wildlife crossings to create safe transportation networks for tui. Such initiatives have also been acknowledged internationally, with New Zealand winning a WWF Award for ‘Best Conservation Project in SEA’ in 2015 for its efforts to protect the tui.
Tui & Maori Culture
In Maori culture, the tui carries significant importance. It was customary for kaumatua – respected Māori elders – to greet visitors with the song of the tui, as a symbol of peacefulness. Similarly, when used in a haka, the bird is used as a metaphor for courage, strength and growth. Even today, the tui’s song is used in a range of traditional Maori ceremonies, including waiata, karakia (prayers) and hangi (ritualised feasts).
In present times, traditional Māori medicine uses tui feathers to protect loved ones from danger, while performing kisses with tui feathers is a widely accepted practice in Maori culture to establish the bond between two people.
Conclusion
The tui is an iconic species in New Zealand, and thus plays an essential role for both the environment and Maori culture. This bird and its environment – its nectar, native trees, and habitats – must be protected and preserved through various measures like tree replanting, conservation, and monitored reintroduction programs. It is likely that with such collective efforts, tui’s population can recover and this beloved species can soar in the skies of New Zealand for many years to come.
