Stitchbird
Notiomystis cincta
The Stitchbird (Notiomystis cincta) is a rare stitchbird found only in New Zealand, weighing about 93 g. The stitchbird or hihi is a honeyeater-like bird endemic to the North Island and adjacent offshore islands of New Zealand.
About the Stitchbird
The stitchbird or hihi is a honeyeater-like bird endemic to the North Island and adjacent offshore islands of New Zealand. Its evolutionary relationships have long puzzled ornithologists, but it is now classed as the only member of its own family, the Notiomystidae. It is rare, being extirpated everywhere except Little Barrier Island, but has been reintroduced to two other island sanctuaries and four locations on the North Island mainland. Current population estimations for mature individuals in the wild are 2,500–3,400.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The stitchbird is a small honeyeater-like bird. Males have a dark velvety cap and short white ear-tufts, which can be raised somewhat away from the head. A yellow band across the chest separates the black head from the rest of the body, which is grey. Females and juveniles are duller than males, lacking the black head and yellow chest band. The bill is rather thin and somewhat curved, and the tongue is long with a brush at the end for collecting nectar. Thin whiskers project out and slightly forward from the base of the bill. Stitchbirds are very active and call frequently.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Stitchbird?
- The stitchbird is a small honeyeater-like bird. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Stitchbird?
- The Stitchbird is a medium sized bird weighing about 93 g.
- Where can you see a Stitchbird?
- The Stitchbird is endemic to New Zealand, which is the only country where it occurs.
- Is the Stitchbird endangered?
- The Stitchbird is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Stitchbird for real
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