Known as the New Zealand Song Bird and also as the Parson bird because of its characteristic white tuft at the throat, the Tui is a much loved native bird of New Zealand, admired for its beauty and the great range and variability of its song.

The bird is a frequent visitor to suburban gardens, particularly where its favoured nectar or fruit bearing trees grow in profusion. It is the first bird to sing in the morning and the last to finish at night. Its voice varies with locality and season but typically contains pure bell-like notes, harsher clonks, rattles, chuckles, clicks and even quiet squeaks.