Stitchbird or Hihi
The Stitchbird, or Hihi (Notiomystis cincta) is a rare bird endemic to New Zealand. It has become extinct on the mainland and survives only on offshore refuges, though a small population was established in Karori Wildlife Sanctuary (near Wellington). Its evolutionary relationships have long puzzled ornithologists, and it was finally, but tentatively placed in the Meliphagidae family. New research (Ewen et al., 2006) suggests that it is best placed in its own family, the closest relatives of which are the Callaeidae.
It is currently listed as Vulnerable (D1, D2) by the IUCN. This classification means that there are less than 1000 mature birds, and that the species is found in less than 5 locations.
Description
The Stitchbird is a small honeyeater-like bird with a dark velvety cap and white ear-tufts, and a yellow band separating the black head from the rest of the body, which is grey. The females and juveniles are duller compared to the male. The bill is rather thin and somewhat curved, and they have a long tongue with a brush at the end for collecting nectar. They are very active, and call frequently. Their alarm call, a tzit tzit sound, is believed to be the source of their common name. Research has suggested that they face interspecific competition from the Tui and New Zealand Bellbird, and will feed from lower-quality food sources when these species are present. They nest in tree holes high up in old trees, and are the only bird species that mates face to face, apparently in preference to the usual position (Anderson, 1993).
Range and conservation
The Stitchbird was relatively common early in the European colonisation of New Zealand, and began to decline relatively quickly afterwards, being extinct on the mainland and many offshore islands by 1885. The exact cause of the decline is unknown, but is thought to be pressure from introduced species, especially Black Rats, and introduced avian diseases. A small population survived on Hauturu/Little Barrier Island, and this population persisted until the 1980s when the New Zealand Wildlife Service (now Department of Conservation) translocated individuals to create separate populations. They were moved to other islands in New Zealand's network of offshore reserves which have been cleared of introduced species and protect many other rare species including the Kakapo and Takahe. Currently the world population is estimated to be between 500 to 2000, surviving on Hauturu/Little Barrier Island, Kapiti Island, Tiritiri Matangi Island, Mokoia Island in Lake Rotorua, and in the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, however only the Hauturu/Little Barrier Island population is currently thought to be stable.
Hatchings on mainland
In October 2005, three stitchbird chicks were hatched at the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary near Wellington, the first time for more than 120 years that a Stitchbird chick has been born on mainland New Zealand. The hatchings were described as a significant conservation milestone by sanctuary staff who were hoping further chicks would be born there.
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