20 November 2014

Tui


New Zealand lacks the diversity of land birds of many other countries, including India, but we have some wonderful personalities among our species, and tui rank high among those. This one was feeding on bottlebrush (Callistemon) flowers close to my place yesterday.



All content © 2014 Pete McGregor

10 comments:

  1. Glorious subtle colours. Your kea fascinate me too.

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  2. Beautiful iridescent feathers on that Tui. Lovely photo.

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  3. And posing with such attitude. Made me grin, so much muchness.

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  4. That looks like summer, and a bird with attitude appreciating it.

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  5. EC, kea are wonderful birds; right up there among the most charismatic.

    Robin, thank you. It's sometimes hard to get that iridescence to show in a photograph, so I'm pleased with this one.

    Zhoen, they're intense birds. Always so alive.

    RR, it might look like summer, but it doesn't feel like it. Much of the time I'm still wearing a down jacket and edging mittens.

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  6. Kia ora Pete,
    A real beauty...I love when the Tui are out in our "bush". Very much individuals. I find whio like qualities coming from them. Very comforting.

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  7. Kia ora Robb. Yes, tui, whio, ruru (I love the sound, although I seldom see them), riroriro, korimako, and others remind me where I am.

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  8. The Parson Bird about to deliver a sermon?

    You've managed to show the iridescence so very well.

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  9. Thanks Lesley. I don't remember the last time I heard anyone call a tui a parson bird — possibly never!

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  10. I learnt it at primary school.

    Someone used it on the radio recently in an historical context. (This related to a time long before my primary school days, but I suppose they're also getting a bit historical now!)

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Constructive criticism is welcomed (I particularly appreciate thoughts on what you like and don't like), but please keep it courteous.