MALE STITCHBIRD, TIRITIRI MATANGI ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

   We can ID this bird as a male Stitchbird by its black head, upper breast and back; white patch behind eyes and yellow border across the breast and folded wings.  This bird has been tagged with a red tag around one of its legs.

   The Stitchbird is endemic to North Island and adjacent offshore islands of New Zealand.   It is the only member of its own family,  the Notiomystidae.

   The Stitchbird is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 722.

NEW ZEALAND BELLBIRD, TIRITIRI MATANGI ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

   We can ID this bird as a New Zealand Bellbird by its olive green back and underparts, darker head with a purplish sheen, brighter on the flanks, black primaries and tail and downcurved bill. 

   The New Zealand Bellbird is endemic to New Zealand and is the only living member of the genus Anthornis. 

   The New Zealand Bellbird is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 721.

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COLONY OF WHITE-FRONTED TERNS, FROM FERRY "EXPLORER", AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

We can ID this gull as a White-fronted  Gull by its, long deeply forked tail, grey back and wings, white forehead, black cap extending to the nape and white underparts.

   The White-fronted Tern is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 720.

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SOUTHERN BLACK-BACKED GULL (SUBSPECIES OF KELP GULL), FROM FERRY "EXPLORE", AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

      The Southern Black-backed Gull is a subspecies of the Kelp Gull.  

OTEHEI BAY FERRY "EXPLORE" TO TIRITIRI MATANGA ISLAND SCIENTIFIC RESERVE, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

TUI, MOUNT EDEN, AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

   We can ID this bird as a Tui by its filamentous white feathers on the nape and sides of neck; white feather tuft on throat; brown upper back and flanks with a bronze sheen; iridescent blue tail and wings and almost-black head.

   The Tui is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 719.