Tui_Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae
An endemic passerine bird of New Zealand. It is one of the largest members of the diverse honeyeater family. The English name, Parson Bird, has fallen into disuse but came about because at first glance the Tui appears completely black except for a small tuft of white feathers at its neck and a small white wing patch, causing it to resemble a parson in religious attire.
On closer inspection it can be seen that Tui have faded browner patches on the back and flanks, a multicoloured iridescent sheen that varies with the angle from which the light strikes them, and a dusting of small, white-shafted feathers on the back and sides of the neck that produce a lacy collar.
This bird was feeding on harakeke (NZ flax) flowers at Otari-Wilton's Bush, Wellington
Tui_Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae
An endemic passerine bird of New Zealand. It is one of the largest members of the diverse honeyeater family. The English name, Parson Bird, has fallen into disuse but came about because at first glance the Tui appears completely black except for a small tuft of white feathers at its neck and a small white wing patch, causing it to resemble a parson in religious attire.
On closer inspection it can be seen that Tui have faded browner patches on the back and flanks, a multicoloured iridescent sheen that varies with the angle from which the light strikes them, and a dusting of small, white-shafted feathers on the back and sides of the neck that produce a lacy collar.
This bird was feeding on harakeke (NZ flax) flowers at Otari-Wilton's Bush, Wellington