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The
hihi (stichbird) programme |
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The
name ‘Stitchbird’ came from the European interpretation
of the call, resembling the word stitch. The Maori called the
bird ‘hihi’ from their own interpretation of the
call. Whatever the case these are one of New Zealand’s
most threatened birds. There are only two honeyeaters in the
world known to nest in tree hollows. Unlike any other honeyeater
in the world it has ‘whiskers’ around the base of
its beak and relatively large eyes. Their resting posture has
wings which hang down beside the body with an upright tail.
Little Barrier Island is the last stronghold for the stitchbirds.
After the 1980s a series of island transfers occurred to Hen,
Cuvier, and Kapiti islands, and the National Wildlife Centre
at Pukaha Mount Bruce. Today Stitchbirds inhabit Kapiti and
Tiritiri Matangi islands. The National Wildlife Centre is the
only place with stitchbirds in captivity.
(more)
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