Stitchbird

The Stitchbird, known in Maori as hihi, is a small forest bird unique enough in its biology to be placed in its own family, Notiomystidae, found nowhere else in the world. Males are strikingly patterned with a black head and upper breast, a bright yellow band across the shoulders and breast, white wing patches, and small white tufts behind the eye that erect during display; females are far duller, olive-brown with a paler wing bar.

Once found across the North Island, the Stitchbird had by the late 1800s been reduced to a single surviving population on Hauturu/Little Barrier Island, escaping extinction only through the persistence of that one refuge. Decades of careful conservation work have since reestablished breeding populations on several other predator-free islands and fenced mainland sanctuaries.

Key field marks

• Male: black head and upper breast, bright yellow band across shoulders/breast, white wing patch, small erectile white ear tufts
• Female: duller olive-brown overall with a pale wing bar, lacking the male's bold pattern
• Fairly short tail, often held cocked
• Distinctive whirring wingbeat in flight

Similar species

• New Zealand Bellbird, which shares some habitat, is plain olive-green in both sexes and lacks the male Stitchbird's black-and-yellow pattern.
• Tui is much larger, glossy black-green with a white throat tuft, quite different from the smaller, more boldly patterned Stitchbird.

Range

Historically found across the North Island of New Zealand; today established on Hauturu/Little Barrier Island (its last natural refuge) and reintroduced to several other predator-free islands and fenced mainland sanctuaries such as Zealandia and Tiritiri Matangi.

Habitat

Requires mature native forest with abundant flowering and fruiting plants, and, unusually among New Zealand birds, readily nests in cavities and artificial nest boxes provided at sanctuary sites.

Migration

Sedentary, confined to the forested extent of its island or sanctuary habitat.

Behavior

Active and agile, foraging through the canopy and understorey, with males performing a distinctive face-to-face display in which they fan their white ear tufts.

Voice

Gives a range of calls including a sharp "stitch" or "tzit" contact note (source of the English name), along with more complex songs from males.

Feeding

Feeds on nectar taken from native flowers, along with fruit and insects; it is notable among New Zealand birds for occasionally mating face-to-face rather than the more typical bird mating position.

Nesting

Nests in tree cavities or nest boxes, an unusual trait among New Zealand's native forest birds; the female incubates the eggs, and both parents help feed the chicks, though nest sites and food are actively supplemented by conservation managers at many sanctuaries.