Bellbird/korimako
Most New Zealanders can easily recognise the bellbird by its melodious song, which Captain Cook described as sounding ‘like small bells exquisitely tuned’. Well camouflaged, the bellbird is usually heard before it is seen. Females are dull olive-brown, with a slight blue sheen on the head and a pale yellow cheek stripe. Males are olive green, with a purplish head and black outer wing and tail feathers.
Learn where bellbirds are found, what they feed on, and find out about the bellbird's breeding habits and song.
Mammalian predators, such as rats and stoats, keep bellbird numbers low.
Learn about DOC's work with bellbird/korimako.
Learn how you can help protect the bellbird/korimako.
This course helps you to identify the 10 New Zealand forest birds most commonly recorded during five minute bird counts.
Bellbird/korimako factsheet (PDF, 177K)
Landcare Research bellbird studies in Canterbury
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