kiwi photo lover
Back from the Brink
A male Stitchbird or Hihi, a small honeyeater endemic to New Zealand. Once widespread through North Island New Zealand but now only seen at a handful of off-shore islands and ecosanctuaries such as Zealandia. Due to this bird nesting in tree trunks and with the introduction of Europeans and rats/rodents in the 1840s only one remnant off-shore island population remained by the 1990s. A small number of Hihi were relocated to Zealandia in 2005 and Zealandia now has upwards of 100 birds with a further 29 eggs in the current breeding season. The average lifespan is only 3-4 years. The bird remains nationally vulnerable and at serious risk of extinction.
Back from the Brink
A male Stitchbird or Hihi, a small honeyeater endemic to New Zealand. Once widespread through North Island New Zealand but now only seen at a handful of off-shore islands and ecosanctuaries such as Zealandia. Due to this bird nesting in tree trunks and with the introduction of Europeans and rats/rodents in the 1840s only one remnant off-shore island population remained by the 1990s. A small number of Hihi were relocated to Zealandia in 2005 and Zealandia now has upwards of 100 birds with a further 29 eggs in the current breeding season. The average lifespan is only 3-4 years. The bird remains nationally vulnerable and at serious risk of extinction.