Some Tuis

If you ask most people "What colour is a Tui?" they'll probably say "It's mostly black, with those cute little white feathers on it's neck." And that is a reasonable assumption as Tuis are usually seen at a distance, and often silhouetted against the sky, so they tend to look black.

This series of photographs I have taken either at our cottage in the Marlborough Sounds, or through my office door in Nelson to where I set up a feeder (Tuis are nectar imbibers). They show the Tui in different lights and at different ages. There are at least four regulars...two adults and two young ones from last year, still with a little juvenile plumage on the heads.

These from our cottage...where they feed all summer on the native New Zealand flax.

Winter feed...from my office in Nelson...

Up close, (or cropped in) the neck feathers are seen to be wonderfully delicate.

WOW , what a wonderful set ! I have never seen a picture of this before !

Celestron wrote in post #17143456
WOW , what a wonderful set ! I have never seen a picture of this before !

Thank you very much.

Really well captured.

Nice set.

Red Dexs wrote in post #17143629
Really well captured.

bigjohninva wrote in post #17144183
Nice set.

Thank you...much appreciated!

Wow! Good stuff!

Mel-S wrote in post #17145095
Wow! Good stuff!

Thank you Mel!

Beautiful birds and beautiful pictures.

Fascinating looking bird Ricardo which at first glance reminded me of our Grackle with the iridescence in the feathers. The plumage of the Tuis is far more complex and interesting, and our Grackles have no interest in nectar
And what interesting plumage around the neck too. I would assume it plays some role in courtship? Your 2nd image in profile is very pretty showing all the colors of the feathers, and the close up in the last is extremely rich with the details of the feathers. I do have to ask in fun what the structure is in the catch light in the eye in the last?
It certainly looks like to me that you've learned to mix and mingle pretty well with your birds too. Your reply to my comment in your Silvereye thread was very gracious and I thank you for that.

You definitely have some of the coolest birds on the planet, great job

Wow what an amazing series! What a beautiful and an unusual bird! This is a fantastic set!