Story: Ngā manu – birds

Riroriro (grey warbler) and nest

The position of the riroriro’s nest was said to indicate the prevailing wind – the bird always placed the entrance away from the wind. Listen to the riroriro’s call. Like the pīpīwharauroa (shining cuckoo), the riroriro’s call signalled the arrival of spring and the time to plant crops.

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Department of Conservation
Reference: 10031556
Photograph by J. L. Kendrick

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Sound file from Birds of New Zealand. Compact disc. © Viking Sevenseas NZ (P O Box 152, Paraparaumu), 1980. All rights reserved.

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How to cite this page:

Kelly Keane-Tuala, 'Ngā manu – birds - Predicting the weather', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/natural-sounds/12166/riroriro-grey-warbler-and-nest (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Kelly Keane-Tuala, published 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015