Little Barrier I (Hauturu), in outer Hauraki Gulf, off northern North I (New Zealand). Reintroduced on Kapiti I, off south-western coast of North I; and at two sites on main North I, at Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, near Wellington, and at Cascade Kauri Park, near Auckland. Also introduced to Tiritiri Matangi I, in Hauraki Gulf.
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 500 - 2,000 (2010) and stable.
Voice
Male has a loud explosive, three-note whistle 'see-si-ip', and a low warbling song of up to three minutes duration. Alarm calls include 'stitch', 'whee whee whee'.
Stitchbird (Notiomystis cincta) [XC206324]
by Matt Slaymaker from Tiritiri Matangi Island, New Zealand (song)
Stitchbird (Notiomystis cincta) [XC507199]
by Oliver Metcalf from Rotokare Scenic Reserve (near Rawhitiroa), South Taranaki District, Taranaki, New Zealand (call)
Nest
In a hole of a tree, compsed of sticks and rootlets lined with finer materials including tree fren scales and feanthers, about 2 - 20 m above the ground.
Traditionally placed in the honeyeater family (Meliphagidae), but recent DNA studies, combined with morphology, indicate that it belongs in a monophyletic family of its own. Falls within a clade that includes the New Zealand wattlebirds (Callaeidae). Affinities of this clade uncertain, but it appears to be a basal assemblage that may include the berrypeckers and longbills (Melanocharitidae) and the cnemophiline satinbirds (currently Paradisaeidae).
Proposed subspecies hautura (described from Little Barrier I) said to differ from birds in rest of species' former range in shorter wing and yellower breast of male, but some overlap in characters apparent.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
hautura Mathews, 1935 - Little Barrier I. (New Zealand).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet