23/08/2026
Just a few reasons why Tieke are the best bird
5 Weird Things About Tīeke (That Make Them Bird of the Year Material)
Every Bird of the Year candidate has something special.
Some are beautiful. Some are rare. Some have celebrity status.
And then there's tīeke.
New Zealand's favourite gothic forest goblin is packed full of strange habits, surprising talents, and at least one communication problem.
1. They're not much of a flyer... but they're excellent hoppers
Tīeke can fly, technically.
But if there were a Bird Olympics, they probably wouldn't be signing up for the aerial events.
Instead, tīeke spend much of their time hopping, bounding and clambering through the forest like they're running an obstacle course designed by squirrels. They're constantly bouncing along branches, tree trunks and the forest floor searching for insects and other tasty snacks.
If you've wandered the tracks at Tarapuruhi Bushy Park and spotted a black bird energetically ricocheting through the forest, chances are you've met a tīeke.
Why fly elegantly when you can launch yourself enthusiastically?
2. They might not understand each other's accents
Believe it or not, tīeke from different parts of the country can develop different song dialects.
In fact, birds that have been isolated from one another for generations may sound so different that a newly arrived tīeke could have a bit of a "sorry, could you repeat that?" moment when meeting birds from another population.
Imagine travelling across the country only to discover everyone speaks the same language but with a wildly different accent.
Awkward.
3. They wear a saddle everywhere and somehow make it look stylish
The clue is in the name.
Tīeke are famous for the rich chestnut-coloured patch on their backs, which looks remarkably like a saddle draped across their glossy black feathers.
Most birds need bright colours, flashy tails or elaborate dance routines to stand out.
Tīeke simply turn up in black and chestnut and let the fashion do the talking.
4. They're absolutely nosy
Many native birds keep a respectful distance from people.
Tīeke often seem to view visitors as a source of entertainment.
They're naturally curious and may hop surprisingly close to investigate what you're doing.
Are they saying hello?
Are they hoping you'll uncover an insect?
Are they silently judging your choice of tramping footwear?
The answer is probably yes.
Visitors to Tarapuruhi Bushy Park are often delighted by how confident and inquisitive tīeke can be. They have absolutely no concept of personal space.
5. They were saved from extinction by sheer determination (and a lot of human help)
Tīeke once disappeared from mainland forests across much of the North Island and came frighteningly close to being lost forever.
The reason you can still see them today is thanks to decades of conservation work, predator control, island refuges and carefully planned translocations.
In other words, tīeke are one of Aotearoa's greatest conservation comeback stories.
They didn't just survive.
They came back.
The Verdict
Let's review.
✅ Expert hopper
✅ Speaks with regional accents
✅ Impeccable fashion sense
✅ Professionally curious
✅ Conservation comeback champion
Honestly, this bird sounds less like a forest species and more like that eccentric neighbour everyone secretly loves.
If you've ever enjoyed seeing tīeke at Tarapuruhi Bushy Park, now's your chance to show your support.
Vote Tīeke for Bird of the Year 2026. Because weird deserves recognition.
📸 Photo taken by Philip Griffin
