Audio / Video
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Bellbird
Korimaku
Anthornis melanura
Mainly olive green on upper body, changing to a more
yellowish green on sides and belly. Purplish crown and
forehead. Lighter green band on side (see photos) The female
is smaller than the male and colours more muted.
Very common and will be seen almost everywhere feeding on nectar, fruit and insects. In the winter in particular they will work the Dracophyllum honeydew heavily. They are quite aggressive at times and seem particularly keen at sorting out fighting Robin
Their song frequency is sometimes well above human auditory range and it's not unusual to see a Bellbird obviously singing it's heart out, but with not a sound we can hear, then the bird will drop a couple of octaves and the song is plainly heard.
Size 200 mm
Very common and will be seen almost everywhere feeding on nectar, fruit and insects. In the winter in particular they will work the Dracophyllum honeydew heavily. They are quite aggressive at times and seem particularly keen at sorting out fighting Robin
Their song frequency is sometimes well above human auditory range and it's not unusual to see a Bellbird obviously singing it's heart out, but with not a sound we can hear, then the bird will drop a couple of octaves and the song is plainly heard.
Size 200 mm
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Bellbird. Bellbirds are the heart of our morning chorus. The "button bird's" orange cap is flax pollen. |
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Village
Bellbird. I first heard this phrase in 2009. Just one call every day or so. Thought it might be a bellbird. Gradually heard it more and more until now it is heard all the time. We have never heard it on Ulva, just 2k away. |
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Feeding on Honeydew. Honeydew is an important food source for many birds, but primarily bellbirds. Particularly in the winter when there is no blossom, and also in bad summer weather when nectar flows cease. |
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Song Display. Bellbirds really put their heart and soul into song displays and will often "puff up" as well. The morning chorus is well known. But equally later afternoon sun on a west facing slope will trigger a huge choral response. |
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photos on this site courtesy
Gilbert van Reenen, Cleangreen Images,
Ivan Tait, Peter Tait.