Stitchbird

- Passerine Birds (Native)
- Sparrow-Blackbird
- Uncommon
- Native
18 cm, Male 40 g, Female 30 g. Male has white erectile tufts behind eyes; velvety black head, upper breast and back, bordered golden yellow across breast and folded wings; rest of underparts pale brown. Female greyish brown with white wingbar; lacks ear tufts. Often cocks tail. Call a loud explosive whistle: 'see—si—ip'. Habitat: Forest on a few predator—free islands, especially Little Barrier, Tiritiri Matangi, Kapiti and Mokoia. Breeding: Sep—Apr.