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Information on a local bird ( New Zealand - Visitor Information)
Terry Dixon - 22nd Sep, 2019
While staying at Thomas's Catlins holiday park in Owaka mid December 2018 we were entertained by a singing bird of which we have never heard before or since.i am trying to find out if it is a migratory bird or native and is it only that time of year in that area. The bird had 4-5 notes and sounds like a gentleman whistling. Any help before we plan our next trip would be very much appreciated
A 1
Admin - NZTG - 23rd Sep, 2019

It sounds like you're talking about the native New Zealand Bell Bird. They are common in areas where there is native bush containing nectar-producing plants, such as Kowhai and flax. The bell bird has a very wide range of sounds including chirps, whistles, and clicks, very similar to the Tui, but looks more plain, almost like a large sparrow with dark green plumage.

Example 1 of Bell Bird song. Example 2 of Bell Bird song.

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