New Zealand Tomtit (South Island ssp.) (Petrocia macrocephala macrocephala, Petroicidae: Australasian robins)
The New Zealand Tomtit is a common 'robin' found in forests in much of New Zealand. More often heard than seen in the gloom of the dense undergrowth it often frequents. The birds here were filmed a bit north of Haast on the west coast of the South Island. The male has a distinctive lemon yellow wash to its breast, males of the subspecies on the North Island have a white breast- see:- vimeo.com/70718132
A hyperactive bird which is hard to film for more than a few seconds at a time, this pair were taking advantage of a supply of midges to feed a couple of fledged chicks in a nearby tree.
also on newzealandwildlife.tv