Tales from the Garden: Tui Nest

January 2025

The nest is well hidden in the ribbonwood tree

Tui are an iconic New Zealand bird and a mainstay of green gardens in Auckland. They are one bird species that have weathered the humanisation of Aotearoa New Zealand well, compared to most NZ bird species. This is probably due to their medium size, their speed and their aggressiveness, chasing off even the large kereru from their patch, as the whim takes them. They are striking with their metallic black/green plumage and the curls of white at their throat, giving them their English name of parson bird. Every winter, we and many others put out sugar water to see them through the lean months and their songs of notes, clicks and squawks are our reward.

The fall of the land here on this piece of Auckland’s North Shore means that our house is above or level with the tree tops of the recovering bush. We have been very lucky this summer to have a tui nest in the tree right next to the house. Tui nest at least two metres above the ground, and this nest is no exception, but it is level with our bedroom balcony. We have listened day after day to the calls of the baby birds and had tui parents fly directly over our heads on their way into the nest. A precarious lean over the balcony rail has allowed us glimpses of yellow, gaping mouths that constantly need sustenance. The parents have worked diligently to feed a nest of at least three youngsters and we have got very protective of them.

Awaiting the next meal

Today is a very special day, as the youngsters have fledged. The nest is empty and at least one juvenile is jumping through the trees of our garden this evening, calling out to be fed. It can’t fly yet, but it’s using its wings and stumpy tail to balance on its adventures. Juveniles are typically about 21 days old when they fledge, but as we had no idea there was a nest in the tree until the week before Christmas, we don’t know how old this clutch is. We want to keep them close, of course, to watch them grow, but it is usually only another week or two before they are independent of their parents. Whether they stay local or disappear to find territories further afield, it has been a joy to watch part of their journey.

Fledged!