| Since 1964, a programme by the Department of Conservation of trapping birds on Hen Island and liberating them on several forested, predator free, offshore islands, has seen the species thrive and multiply. The success of this exercise has guaranteed the survival of the Saddleback, at least for the time being. Unfortunately, it is extremely unlikely that liberation of the species on the mainland would ever be successful due to the ever present population of predators such as rats, stoats and feral cats, as Saddlebacks obtain much of their food from the forest floor.
Growing to a length of 25 cm, the saddleback is a striking individual, rather like a handsome, glossy, black starling, but somewhat larger, with a bright chestnut saddle and orange fleshy wattles on the cheeks. The species feeds on berries and fruit as well as insects.
A lively, almost impudent bird, it constantly chatters as it moves rapidly through the understory and canopy of native forest. It is such a noisy and vigorous feeder that it attracts fantails which fly very close below it to catch any dislodged insects. The breeding season is from November to January, with normally 2 eggs in a clutch. |  |
