Tīeke / North Island saddleback

Photo By Brendon Doran

Glossy black with a distinctive orange ‘saddle’ on its back and fleshy wattles at base of bill. Similar size to a blackbird.

Are poor flyers, mostly bound along branches and the ground like a squirrel.

Have loud, staccato-like calls from which they are named by Maori (tieke – pronounced te-eh-keh.

Were extinct from mainland since 1910. Were first released into Karori Sanctuary in 2002.

Often seen and heard throughout the Sanctuary – especially along Lake Road and Te Mahanga track.