Mohoua ochrocephala
Range
They are found on the mainland and offshore islands of New Zealand.
Habitat
They live in hardwood forests. They were once found in all the hard wood forests of New Zealand (the “podocarp” hardwood forests) but now are found only in the beech forests.
Body Traits
They are about 6 inches long, brown with a yellow head and breast.
Habits
They like to feed high in the trees but will search for food on the ground. Predators, brought by visitors to the island, like rats, possums and weasels (stouts) can climb trees and eat eggs, chicks and nesting females which has brought the yellowhead to the brink of extinction. Clearing of forests has also hurt their numbers.
Diet
They eat insects and the nectar from plants (honeydew).
Reproduction
Females nest in tree holes high in trees. They do all of the warming (incubation) of the eggs. Once the eggs hatch both parents will care for the young.
