How big is a South Island Saddleback?

The South Island Saddleback is a medium sized bird weighing about 75 g.

Where can you see a South Island Saddleback?

The South Island Saddleback is endemic to New Zealand, which is the only country where it occurs.

Is the South Island Saddleback endangered?

The South Island Saddleback is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

South Island Saddleback

Philesturnus carunculatus

New Zealand Wattlebirds · Passeriformes · Rare

The South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) is a rare new zealand wattlebird found only in New Zealand, weighing about 75 g. The South Island saddleback or tīeke is a forest-dwelling passerine bird in the New Zealand wattlebird family which is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand.

Least ConcernRareEndemicEats fruitforestcavity nest75 g

South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus), photo 1 — Photo: Penelope Noel Gillette · CC BY 4.0

South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus), photo 2 — Photo: Genevieve Early · CC BY 4.0

South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus), photo 3 — Photo: William Stephens · CC BY 4.0

South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus), photo 4 — Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand · CC0

South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus), photo 5 — Photo: William Harland · CC BY 4.0

South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus), photo 6 — Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand · CC0

South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus), photo 7 — Photo: Auckland Museum Collections from Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand · CC BY 2.0

South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus), photo 8 — Photo: unknown · CC BY 4.0

South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus), photo 9 — Photo: unknown · CC BY 4.0

South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus), photo 10 — Photo: unknown · CC BY 4.0

About the South Island Saddleback

The South Island saddleback or tīeke is a forest-dwelling passerine bird in the New Zealand wattlebird family which is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Both the North Island saddleback and this species were formerly considered conspecific. The Department of Conservation currently has the South Island saddleback listed as At Risk--Declining.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it lives

New Zealand

When to see it

Best months: January, February, March, April, July, October, November, December, with peak activity in January. It is a variable species across most of its range.

Quick questions

What does a South Island Saddleback look like?: The South Island saddleback or tīeke is a forest-dwelling passerine bird in the New Zealand wattlebird family which is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand.
How big is a South Island Saddleback?: The South Island Saddleback is a medium sized bird weighing about 75 g.
Where can you see a South Island Saddleback?: The South Island Saddleback is endemic to New Zealand, which is the only country where it occurs.
Is the South Island Saddleback endangered?: The South Island Saddleback is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Learn the South Island Saddleback for real

BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.

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