Yellowhead

The Yellowhead, or Mohua, is a small, vibrant bird with a distinctive bright yellow head and breast. Its body is primarily olive-green, with brown wings and tail. The bird has a slender, slightly curved grey bill and brown legs.

Males display more intense yellow colouration on their heads and breasts compared to females. Juveniles have a duller plumage, with less yellow and more olive tones overall.

Yellowheads have a distinctive, high-pitched call often described as a repeated 'cheet-cheet-cheet'. During the breeding season, males produce a more complex, warbling song.

Their vocalisations are an important tool for locating these often elusive birds in dense forest canopies.

• Look for Yellowheads in beech forests, particularly in areas with mature trees
• Listen for their distinctive high-pitched 'cheet-cheet-cheet' call
• Observe tree trunks and branches carefully, as they often forage in bark crevices
• Visit South Island beech forests in New Zealand for the best chances of spotting them

Yellowheads primarily feed on insects and spiders found in the bark and foliage of trees. They have a particular fondness for moth and beetle larvae.

During winter, when insects are scarce, they supplement their diet with small amounts of seeds and fruit.

Yellowheads form monogamous pairs and breed from September to February. Males court females with soft, warbling songs and displays of their bright plumage.

Nests are typically built in tree cavities or among dense foliage constructed from twigs, moss, and feathers. Females lay 2-4 white eggs with reddish-brown speckles.

Both parents share incubation duties for about 18 days. Chicks fledge after approximately 21 days but may remain with their parents for several months.

Yellowheads are agile and active birds, often seen moving rapidly through tree canopies in search of insects. They frequently hang upside down from branches while foraging.

These birds are social and typically found in small family groups or mixed-species flocks outside the breeding season.

The Yellowhead is classified as Near Threatened due to habitat loss and predation by introduced mammals.

Conservation efforts include predator control programs, habitat protection, and translocation to predator-free islands. These measures are crucial for the species' survival.