Many readers of my blog will know how much I enjoy feeding the Tui and taking photographs of these iconic and special New Zealand birds.
As word has got about in the Tui world that we have two sugar water feeders on offer, the number of birds visiting each day to drink their fill has risen. Antics at the feeders have increased substantially too.
Moulting season has come and gone this year and with it a small but delightful collection of feathers have been left in my garden.
Here is a selection from my collection:
Filamentous feathers of a Tui’s white, double tufted curled feather wattle
Filoplume feather from a Tui’s “shawl” around its neck and across its upper back
Wing or tail feathers showing some iridescence
Soft brownish breast or underbelly feathers showing some iridescence
Possibly fledgling’s soft downy feathers?
And in other feathery news I have spotted a Bellbird investigating the feeder and also checking out the bottle brush bushes….no photos…..or Bellbird feather treasure……yet…..
ordinarygoodness 
What a lovely collection Lynley. They are sending you their thank yous for all the good food.
I have a few other little ones and I think as you do Juliet – a lovely thank you for their nectar – a “tip” of sorts, although we don’t tip here in NZ as they do in other countries:-)
Oh, how lucky to have that precious little collection of feathers. Gorgeous.
They are a real treasure to keep and enjoy. Those filoplumes are intricately delicate aren’t they?
Incredibly so.
Fantastic feathers, Lyn! Fly-tyers would love them, I am sure!
Aren’t they lovely Jo. I wonder if fly-tyers do use them – fly fishing is big in NZ.
Lucky you! I miss seeing and hearing the Tui. There are none in the Wairarapa.
They are treasures. I would miss the Tui dreadfully. We visited here last year and heard Tuihttp://www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/reserves/fensham-reserve-carterton
It is a wonderful place to visit and explore – your boy would love it.
I meant to go there this weekend actually, but two excited boys having a sleepover proved far to difficult to shift from the house… I’ll get there! Soon…
I’m glad you plan to go there. We stumbled upon it and really enjoyed its special qualities. Sadly several of my ancestors were part of the bush clearing crews in the Wairarapa in the 1880s and 1890s:-((
My sister likes mallard feathers. 🙂
Mallards are beautiful too:-)
Beautiful, we love encouraging birds into our yard too. They are so great to watch, each with different antics to keep us amused.
And their songs and chatter are a delight too:-)