Bellbird / Korimako

Bellbird / Korimako

The gorgeous song of bellbirds is a familiar sound in the Kepler forest. They are the most widespread honeyeaters in the South Island, and are also common over much of the North Island. Like the tūī, bellbirds have a brush-tipped tongue that is used to reach deep into flowers to get to the nectar. Bellbirds also feed on fruits and insects.

While foraging for nectar, honeyeaters play an important ecological role because they pollinate the flowers of the many native plants they visit. Moreover, as they feed on fruits, honeyeaters also have a role in dispersing the seeds, thus contributing to the regeneration of the forest in at least two ways: plant pollination and seed dispersal.

Did you know that there are three subspecies of bellbird, which means that the species Anthornis melanura (the Latin name for bellbird) displays geographical variation?

Geographical variation refers to the genetic differences between populations of the same species across its natural geographic range. The Three Kings bellbird (Anthornis melanura obscura), found only on the Three Kings Islands, is now uncommon and at risk; the Poor Knights bellbird (Anthornis melanura oneho), found on Aorangi and Poor Knights islands, is also at risk. Only the common bellbird (Anthornis melanura melanura), found on mainland New Zealand, is a non threatened subspecies. The only other member of this endemic genus was the extinct Chatham Island bellbird Anthornis melanocephala.

(Information from: New Zealand Birds Online)

Did you know that bellbirds vary their songs according to the places they live?

The bellbird is named for its beautiful song that consists of three distinct sounds, which are like the chiming of distant bells. Bellbirds from different places in New Zealand have distinct regional dialects. Their songs may vary enormously even over short distances and over time. Males and females of this duetting species also sing different songs, at least during some parts of the year. The song of juveniles is recognizable too, because young bellbirds are still practicing their tunes!

(Information from: The Guardian Website)

In 2011, a group of scientists used the native plant Taurepo (Rhabdothamnus solandri) to show how bird extinction can affect a whole ecosystem by reducing pollination and eventually reducing plant density (how many plants per area). Taurepo relies on bellbirds and stitchbirds for pollination. Where these birds are absent, the plants are not surviving well... so no birds means no plants.

(Information from: Science Learning Hub Website)

(Photos: Anja Köhler)