New Zealand Bellbird
Anthornis melanura
Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand - November 2005
Bellbirds are one of the commonest native birds in New Zealand.
Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand - November 2005
Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand - November 2005
Bellbirds are part of the honeyeater family. As the familial name suggests, they survive mainly on a diet of nectar, which they extract from flowers with the aid of their long tongues (visible in the photo below).
Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand - November 2005
On Tiritiri Matangi, where the population density is quite high, the ringing bell-notes from which the Bellbird got it's name give the dawn chorus a unique character.
Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand - November 2005
Ray Wilson owns the copyright of all images on this site.
They may not be used or copied in any form without prior written permission.
raywilsonphotography@googlemail.com