Bellbird Anthornis melanura melanura (Makomako). 20cm
Habitat and distribution: Common in native and exotic forests, orchards and gardens. Appart 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 downcurve of bill and shellow 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 the Tui but notes are more pure and contain fewer guttural 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. Nests of twigs, leaves and grasses built in shrub, fork of tree or in shellow tree cavity. Female incubates the 3 to 4 eggs clutch of pinkish eggs with brown spots for 13 or 14 days.
source: The Reed Field Guid To New Zealand Birds by Geoff Moon (ISBN 0 7900 0336 8)