New Zealand Bellbird

Male (right ) and female Maori Glockenhonigfresser

The Maori Glockenhonigfresser ( Anthornis melanura ), in the distribution area Korimako Māori or English called Bellbird, is the only one still existing species of the genus Anthornis from the family of honeyeaters. The species is classified by the IUCN as uncritical ( " least concern ").

Features

The bird is 20 cm long, the larger males weighing up to 34 g, 26 g, the female

The ground color is olive-green with lighter underside. The head of the male is iridescent violet, at the subspecies A. m. oneho blue, tail and wings are blue-black. The plumage of the female is similar to the male, but lackluster. It goes from shade more to brown and has a narrow white stripe on the cheek.

The eye is red, the beak short and bent. The tongue has at the end of brush-like attachments to lick up the nectar.

Occurrence and habitat

The species is endemic to New Zealand and disseminated here on a large part of the main islands, many coastal islands and the Auckland Islands, but is absent in the north of the North Island.

The Maori Glockenhonigfresser suffered with the introduction of European farming methods and the associated destruction of native forests first habitat loss. Another reason for population decline were entrained predators such as domestic cats, weasels, stoats, ferrets, rats and food competitors such as wasps. This population decline occurred simultaneously with many other New Zealand species; However, the populations of Maori bells honeyeater recovered for unknown reasons, so it 's pretty common back in a large part of New Zealand ..

The species occurs in addition to their original habitat in local forests in anthropogenic secondary habitats such as parks and gardens.

Way of life

The birds feed on nectar, honeydew, berries and insects. They are important as pollinators.

Singing

The Song of the Bell Birds is an important part of birdsong in New Zealand at sunrise. The bell-like song is sometimes confused with that of the Tui.

System

There are three subspecies:

• A. melanura melanura (New Zealand Bellbird ) Occurrence: mainland, many coastal islands, Auckland Islands
• A. melanura oneho ( Poor Knights Bellbird ) Occurrence: Poor Knights Islands
• A. melanura obscura (Three Kings Bellbird ) Occurrence: Three Kings Islands

A fourth subspecies A. melanura dumerilii is not recognized by most authors.

The early 20th century extinct Chatham Glockenhonigfresser ( Anthornis melanocephala ) was temporarily regarded as another subspecies A. melanura melanocephala of Maori bells honeyeater.

Gallery

Bellbird at Mount Maungatautari, Waikato

Male

Tiritiri Matangi Bellbird on Iceland