North Island saddleback female, close up of head
The saddleback or tīeke belongs to New Zealand's unique wattlebird family (Callaeidae), an ancient group which includes the endangered kōkako and the extinct huia. It is a medium sized bird, and adults of both sexes have similar plumage. The bird's main feature is a conspicuous chestnut-coloured saddle on its back, but it also has chestnut on the tip of its tail, a black bill, black legs, and orange, "fleshy" wattles either side of its throat.
What do saddleback/tīeke eat? Learn a number of facts about this endangered forest bird.
Once widespread throughout NZ, habitat loss and introduced predators have brought saddleback/tīeke to the brink of extinction.
Learn about DOC's recovery plan for both the North Island saddleback/tīeke and South Island saddleback/tīeke.
Learn ways you can get involved in saving the endangered saddleback/tīeke.
In this video you'll travel to Tiritiri Matangi near Auckland, an island sanctuary open to the public where you can visit some of New Zealand’s rarest birds, including takahē and saddleback/tīeke.
Bird identification online courseLearn how to identify 10 forest birds
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