saddleback

Not an easy bird to get a photograph because of them feeding in bush shadows. They are very easily caught by predators because of their habit of feeding on the ground. Some of the survivors, it is hoped they will breed off springs that are more predator aware.

Rare endemic Saddleback... Tiritiri Matangi Island, Hauraki Gulf, Auckland

These Saddlebacks are being killed off at a very high rate by predators. At least seven have been found partly eaten since their release only a few days ago. God knows how many more have been killed. These bird have no idea about predators and possibly the only place for them is on pest free...

This is how the Saddleback finds food amongst leaf litter on the ground.

These birds have just been released at the Cape Kidnappers Wildlife Reserve. This is my first photograph of one. They made it very difficult for me by sticking to very shady areas. I had to increase the ISO rating to 1,200 just to get enough speed to freeze their movements.

North Island Saddleback taken on tiritiri matangi island. A wattle bird endemic to new zealand and endangered. The bird became extinct on the mainland and survived on only one offshore island. They were gradually transferred to other of shore islands and are now also in a couple of mainland...

North Island Saddleback taken on tiritiri matangi island. A wattle bird endemic to new zealand and endangered. The bird became extinct on the mainland and survived on only one offshore island. They were gradually transferred to other of shore islands and are now also in a couple of mainland...

Disappeared from mainland due to rat predation. A small population now breeding well on Tiri Tiri Matangi Island, a specially protected rat free island.