Tūī and Kererū Feeding on Tōtara Berries
Earlier this week, a tōtara tree in a nearby park became the focus of my attention due to the constant movement and sound coming from its branches. The tree was heavy with tiny berries, and it was clear that both tūī and kererū had discovered this seasonal food source.
High in the canopy, tūī were feeding actively, often visible with yellow and green tōtara berries held in their beaks. Between feeding bouts, they paused to sing, their calls ringing out across the park. The combination of feeding and singing added an energetic soundtrack to the scene and made the tree impossible to ignore.
Sharing the space were several kererū, moving clumsily through the branches. Unlike the tūī, the kererū were quieter, but no less impressive. They fed methodically, frequently seen with berries filling their beaks, before flapping their wings heavily to reposition themselves among the foliage. The sound and motion of their wingbeats made their presence known even when they were partially hidden.
As both species fed, many berries were dropped from the tree. This provided an opportunity for Eastern rosellas, who gathered on the grass below to feed on the fallen fruit, avoiding the more assertive behaviour of the tūī in the branches above. It was a fascinating example of how different birds utilise the same food source in different ways.
One particularly interesting moment was watching a tūī load its beak and mouth with berries before flying off. This behaviour suggested it may have been carrying food back to a nearby nest, hinting at breeding activity beyond the tree itself.
Collective Appreciation of Nature
While I was photographing the birds, I noticed people beginning to slow down and look up. Seeing someone standing still with a camera pointed into the canopy was enough to draw their attention to the activity above. What began as quiet observation soon turned into conversations, shared discoveries, and a collective appreciation of the birdlife overhead.
Final Thoughts:
With such a variety of behaviour on display — tūī singing and feeding, kererū flapping through the branches, and berries raining down below — this tōtara tree has quickly become one of my favourite places to visit. I’ll be sharing more images of both tūī and kererū on social media as the season continues. Follow me on Facebook to see more from this lively and productive tree.
All the images in this post were taken using my Lumix G9II and Panasonic Leica 100-400 lens. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to contact me through my website, or follow along on Facebook or Instagram.
