Region

Southwest Pacific (Chatham Islands)

Typical Environment

Historically confined to forest and coastal scrub on Chatham, Pitt, and smaller nearby islands. It frequented flowering shrubs and trees for nectar, and used dense understory for nesting. Birds were most often noted at forest edges and sheltered gullies. Degradation of these habitats and the arrival of mammalian predators drove its rapid decline. No verified observations have been made since the early twentieth century.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 300 m

Climate Zone

Temperate

Temperament

solitary and territorial

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Pairs defended nectar sources strongly during the breeding season but gathered loosely where flowers were abundant. Nests were cup-shaped and placed in shrubs or small trees, built from grasses and plant fibers. Clutches were small, typically two to three eggs, with both parents feeding nestlings.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Rich, bell-like notes delivered in clear, ringing phrases that carried through the forest. Calls included sharp chinks and softer contact notes, with a lively dawn chorus during the breeding season.

Diet

Primarily nectar from flowering shrubs and trees such as flax (harakeke), supplemented by insects gleaned from foliage and bark. It also took small spiders and occasionally soft fruits and berries. Foraging involved probing flowers with a brush-tipped tongue and snapping at small insects in short sallies.

Preferred Environment

Forest edges, flowering clearings, and sheltered gullies where nectar sources were concentrated. It fed both in the canopy and mid-story, often visiting repeatedly blooming plants within its territory.