#notiomystis cincta

[hello-birdies]

Notiomystis cincta by Brendon & Keryn Doran

[birdstudies]

May 6, 2015 - Hihi or Stitchbird (Notiomystis cincta)

Requested by: schmias

These birds are found only in northern New Zealand. Once considered honeyeaters, they are now known as the only member of the Notiomystidae family. They primarily eat nectar, along with some insects and fruit. Cavity nesters, they build a stick nest inside a tree hollow. Females incubate the eggs alone and care for the chicks with some assistance from males. The name Stitchbird comes from their call, which a 19th century ornithologist described as sounding like the word “stitch.” They are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, probably due to introduced predators, habitat destruction, and disease.

This site has more information on the Hihi and the conservation work being done to help them: http://www.hihiconservation.com/

[lotsofbirds]

Stitchbird (Notiomystis cincta)

Distribution: Northern New Zealand

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

{ Ecology } { Volcalizaitons } { eBird }

(Photo by digitaltrails @ flickr // CC 2.0)

[birdsofaotearoa]