The Tui Bird – New Zealand’s Iconic Native Songbird

The tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) is an endemic New Zealand bird renowned for its stunning iridescent feathers, distinctive white throat tuft (poi), and remarkable singing ability. As one of the most recognisable symbols of Aotearoa’s natural heritage, the tui holds a special place in both Maori culture and modern New Zealand identity.

Distinctive Appearance

At first glance, the tui appears to be simply black. But in sunlight, its plumage reveals a spectacular iridescence – shimmering blues, greens, and bronze tones that shift and change as the bird moves. This metallic sheen makes the tui one of New Zealand’s most visually striking birds.

Tui also have delicate, lacy white feathers on the back of their neck, creating an elegant collar effect. Their curved beak is perfectly designed for extracting nectar from native flowers like kowhai, flax, and pohutukawa.

Masters of Song

The tui is perhaps New Zealand’s most accomplished vocalist. Their song is a complex mix of melodic notes, clicks, coughs, and wheezes that includes sounds well beyond the range of human hearing. Each tui develops its own unique repertoire, often incorporating mimicry of other birds and even human-made sounds.

Tui are particularly vocal at dawn and dusk, filling New Zealand forests and gardens with their characteristic sounds. Males sing to defend their territory and attract mates, often performing acrobatic displays while singing from prominent perches.

Vocal Mimicry

Like their relative the kokako, tui are exceptional mimics. They can imitate the calls of bellbirds, kereru, and other native species. Some tui have even learned to copy human speech, phone ringtones, and car alarms – a testament to their remarkable vocal flexibility.

Tui in Maori Culture

The tui holds deep significance in Maori tradition and mythology. In Maori culture, the tui was considered a messenger between the earthly world and the spiritual realm. Its beautiful song was believed to carry messages from the gods.

Mythology and Legend

According to Maori legend, when the demigod Maui asked the birds of the forest to follow him into the underworld to retrieve fire, the tui was among the brave few who agreed. The white feathers at the tui’s throat are said to be a mark of this courage – a badge of honour for its bravery.

Tui Feathers in Art

Tui feathers were prized for their iridescent beauty and were traditionally used in Maori cloaks (kakahu) and other treasured items. Today, the tui’s striking colours continue to inspire New Zealand artists and designers.

Habitat and Behaviour

Tui are found throughout New Zealand – in native forests, regenerating bush, parks, and suburban gardens. They’re highly adaptable birds that have successfully adjusted to living alongside humans, provided there are enough flowering plants to sustain them.

Nectar Feeders

As honeyeaters, tui play a crucial role in pollinating native plants. They’re particularly drawn to:

• Kowhai: The bright yellow flowers are a tui favourite in spring
• Flax (harakeke): Summer nectar source with tall flower spikes
• Pohutukawa: The Christmas tree provides crimson blooms in December
• Puriri: Year-round flowering tree in the North Island
• Feijoa: Tui help pollinate this garden fruit tree

Territorial Nature

Tui are fiercely territorial, especially during breeding season and when defending prime feeding spots. They’ll aggressively chase away other tui, bellbirds, and even much larger birds like kereru from their preferred flowering trees.

Conservation Success Story

The tui is one of New Zealand’s conservation success stories. While populations declined significantly in the past due to habitat loss and introduced predators, tui numbers have recovered well in many areas.

Predator-free sanctuaries like Zealandia in Wellington have become strongholds for tui populations. From these safe havens, tui have spread back into surrounding suburbs, bringing their beautiful songs to urban gardens across the city.

Tui in New Zealand Art and Design

The tui’s striking appearance has made it a favourite subject for New Zealand artists. From traditional Maori carvings to contemporary prints and jewellery, the tui’s image appears throughout NZ design.

Contemporary Artists Celebrating the Tui

Many of New Zealand’s most beloved artists feature tui in their work. Flox (Hayley King) creates bold, graphic tui prints that have become iconic in NZ homes. Irina Velman captures the bird’s whimsical character in her illustrations, while Glenn Jones adds his signature humour to tui-themed artworks.

Brand Wolfkamp & Stone features tui designs across their homeware range, from cushions to tea towels. The tui also appears in jewellery designs, ceramics, and textiles throughout New Zealand.