Yellowhead

Overview

The yellowhead, also known as mohua or Mohoua ochrocephala, is a small insectivorous passerine bird endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Once a common forest bird, its numbers have declined drastically due to introduced predators such as rats and stoats, leading to its current Near Threatened conservation status.

Identification

• Known historically as the 'bush canary' for its trilling song.
• Currently classified in the family Mohouidae.

Habitat

Found only on the South Island of New Zealand and several surrounding small islands, previously particularly abundant in southern beech forests. Today, the species exists in less than 5% of its original range, with populations concentrated in the Marlborough Sounds, around Arthur's Pass, and in the beech forests of the Catlins.

Diet

In the wild, caterpillars are the predominant food, although yellowheads are opportunistic and may eat nuts and dried fruits. They spend over 99% of their foraging time in the shrub and canopy layers of the forest, using gleaning as their preferred method, though ripping is common in spring on tree trunks and large branches.

Did you know?

The yellowhead has appeared on the reverse side of the New Zealand $100 note since the currency's redesign in 1991.