New Zealand has relatively few native passerines (perching birds) compared to other regions. But one is well known – the tūī, a beautiful songster. The tūī and bellbird are related to Australian honeyeaters. Their ancestors probably flew or were blown across the Tasman Sea, and then evolved into new species.
Listen to a tūī sing.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Private collection
Photograph by Penny Carnaby
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Sound file from Birds of New Zealand. Compact disc. © Viking Sevenseas NZ, 1980 (available from PO Box 152, Paraparaumu). All rights reserved.
Tāpiritia te tākupu hou