Bellbird information/identification
Anthornis melanura
APPEARANCE
Because of the bellbird’s greenish colouring and preference for feeding and perching up high, this bird can be difficult to see! People often locate the bellbird by its distinctive song first, and only then by sight. A strong pair of binoculars is often useful if you want to get a good view.
| Female bellbird Females are dull olive-brown, with a slight blue sheen on head, and pale yellow cheek stripe. |
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Males are olive green, with a purplish head, and black outer wing and tail feathers. |
SONG
Many New Zealanders know the bellbird mainly by its distinctive song. This song can be difficult to distinguish from that of a tui; however, in Canterbury, where our studies are currently centred, tui are very rare. If you hear a chime-like song in Canterbury, it is almost certainly a bellbird.
In fact, bellbird song varies enormously from one place to another, as shown by our study of bellbirds in the Port Hills (Bellbird Song Research Project) and it also varies according to season/behaviour and the sex of the bird.
Click here 
(109kb .wav file) to listen to a bellbird song from Victoria Park, Port
Hills.
DISTRIBUTION
Bellbirds (Anthornis melanura, in the family of Meliphagidae or Honeyeaters) are found only in New Zealand. At one time they were found throughout New Zealand, but, in the 1860s, they became virtually extinct in the Auckland and Northland regions, where their populations have not recovered.
Bellbirds are found in most areas of mature native bush in Canterbury, and also in many smaller patches of trees (Canterbury Website Observation Maps) and some exotic plantations. Typically they require tall trees, reasonable cover and good local food sources during the breeding season (Breeding, Breeding Habitat Research Project), since they do not travel a long way from the nest. However, outside the breeding season they may travel many kilometres to feed.
Bellbirds are widespread on Banks Peninsula, and are present year-round in bush patches on the Port Hills. Some forage in nearby areas of Christchurch city and the plains during the winter months (Calendar Sightings Maps).
BREEDING
The breeding season is approximately September through to February. Bellbirds tend to nest fairly high up in trees, and prefer trees with dense foliage for cover. A good range of food sources is required in the near vicinity, with flowering/fruiting times spread throughout the breeding season (Breeding Habitat Research). Bellbirds are strongly territorial during the breeding season.
A pair of bellbirds maintains the same breeding territory year after year. The female makes the nest and lays 3 to 5 eggs. Both parents feed the chicks, which fledge at about 14 days old. A pair can raise two broods in a season. The oldest bellbird recorded lived to over 8 years.
Reference: “The field guide to the birds of New Zealand”, Heather, B.D.; Robertson, H.A. 1996: Viking. Pp. 403–406.
FEEDING
Bellbirds feed on nectar, fruit and insects, with insects being particularly important to females and chicks during the breeding season. They often feed high up in tree canopies but do come down to flax and native fuchsia.
Important food plants in the Port Hills and Christchurch city include kowhai, fuchsia, flax, Coprosma species, five-finger, broadleaf, mahoe, Pittosporum species, and flowering Eucalyptus (What to plant in your garden).
DOWNLOAD INFORMATION PAMPHLETS
Bellbird/korimako:
Identification 
(363KB)
Bellbird/korimako
in Canterbury(454KB)
Bellbird/korimako:
Predation(271KB)
Bellbird/korimako:
Food sources(275KB)
Identification
card(110KB)