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Bellbird
- Anthornis melanura melanura
(Makomako)
Coordinator:
Tara Atkinson
Habitat
and Distribution: Common in native and exotic forests, orchards
and gardens.
Apart from stray male Bellbirds from offshore islands, the species
is not found in Auckland
or Northland. Different subspecies of Bellbird inhabit Three Kings
and Poor Knights Islands
Characteristics:
Recognised by slight down curve of bill and shallow fork in tail.
Voice:
Surprisingly loud voice in relation to size. Dawn song consists
of 3-5 bell like notes. Daytime song resembles that of Tui but notes
are more pure and contain fewer gutteral sounds.
Food:
Nectar, fruits, insects and spiders. Males take far more nectar
than females. Latter take more insects.
Breeding:
Two broods a year are raised between September and January. Nest
of twigs, leaves and grasses built in shrub, fork of tree or in
shallow tree cavity. Female incubates the 3 or 4 egg clutch of pinkish
eggs with brown spots for 13 or 14 days.
Captive
Program:
Associated
Documents:
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Application form
