North Island Saddleback - Philesturnus carunculatus rufusater (Tieke)

Coordinator: Eric Fox

Habitat and Distribution: North Island Saddleback inhabits several offshore islands on east coast of North Island and Kapiti Island, following transfers from Hen Island in 1964. South Island subspecies inhabits islands off coast of Stewart island and Breaksea Island – Fiordland.

Characteristics: North Island Saddleback has narrow, buff coloured band in front of saddle. Immature South Island Saddleback lacks a saddle and is uniform olive brown colour. Saddlebacks are weak fliers, but are very active with rapid movements through forest.

Voice: Usual call is penetrating 'cheep-tee-tee-tee'. Male has several more melodious calls.

Food: mainly insects, grubs, spiders and other invertebrates caught from foliage and prised from under bark. Also takes fruits.

Breeding: Nest, built in hollow in tree or rock crevice, is constructed of small sticks and grasses. Clutch of 2 buff eggs with brown spots is laid from November to January and incubated fro 20 days by the hen, who is fed at nest by male. both sexes feed chicks, which fledge when 21 days old.

Captive Program: There is no captive programme, only one lone male in captivity, which is held at Orana Wildlife Trust - Christchurch

Associated Documents: