Tūī sounds and song

Tūī are an endemic songbird from the honeyeater family, best known for their remarkable ability to mimic sounds - not just other birds like the korimako, but even human-made noises such as machinery or phones. With their striking iridescent plumage and distinctive white throat tufts, tūī are a true icon of Aotearoa’s native birdlife.

As honeyeaters, tūī feed on nectar from native plants and play a vital role in pollinating species such as harakeke, kōwhai, and rātā.

While tūī are not currently at risk of extinction, their populations are still threatened by predators such as rats, possums, and stoats, as well as by habitat loss. To help our tūī thrive, we can set traps in our backyards, on our properties, or at workplaces to control pests, and plant native trees to create safe, food-rich habitats.

Several tūī make their home around the Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs, and we’re always delighted to spot them among the trees or hear their distinctive song echoing across the wetlands. Have you seen or heard any on your visits?