Rory's Tui

The Tui

Let me tell you about the clever, curious birds that have smart, white pom-poms on their chest. Do you know what bird I’m talking about? That’s right, a Tui! Take a break and relax while I describe the bird that you will find in your backyard here in New Zealand.

The Tuis head is as round as a sugar coated doughnut, covered with shiny feathers coloured green, blue and dark blue. The dark blue feathers are as dark as the Atlantic Ocean during winter. The two clever, black, beady eyes on the tuis head are always on alert as they adapt to new surroundings and keep an eye out for prey. Sitting perfectly square below the tuis eyes is their “sharp as a knife” beak, which gleams in the spectacular, spring sun. On the back of the tuis head are pretty little feathers that look like dreadlocks. Those dreadlock feathers are a soft, really light gray.

The tuis egg-shaped body is covered with colourful feathers, all shapes and sizes. On the tuis chest there are two little pom-pom feathers, as white as snow. Under those are beautiful emerald green feathers, running down the tuis front. The green feathers shade into a soft dark blue colour as they move more onto their back. Tucked neatly into either side of the stupendous tui body are wonderful wings, as shiny as a still lake on a summer’s day. Coming out the back of the tuis body is the most remarkable tail you will ever see. The tail is the colour of blue ink, the kind that comes out of a ballpoint pen. Underneath the tuis body are their legs and feet. Their legs and feet are the colour of a stormy sky in July. The sharp claws on the tuis feet help the tui grip onto trees and pick up prey.

Have I managed to paint a picture? Tuis are unique to NZ, as well as the Kiwi, Kakapo, Pukeko and a few others. It’s very special to have so many native birds in our country, so let’s do our part and look after them.

By Rory