Listen to the New Zealand bellbird
Tip: press play to see the sound's live frequency spectrum in blue over the waveform.
About the New Zealand bellbird
The New Zealand bellbird is a bird in the family Meliphagidae (order Passeriformes). Its conservation status on the IUCN Red List is “least concern”.
What does the New Zealand bellbird sound like?
Most birds have two kinds of vocalisation: songs, which are learned or innate phrases delivered mainly in spring and summer, and calls – brief contact, alarm and begging notes heard all year round. Listening for both helps with identification.
From Wikipedia
The New Zealand bellbird (Anthornis melanura), also known by its Māori language names korimako, makomako and kōmako, is a medium-sized species of honeyeater endemic to New Zealand. It has been the only living member of the genus Anthornis since the Chatham Islands bellbird went extinct in the early 20th century. The bellbird's closest living relative is the only other New Zealand honeyeater, the tūī (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae). The bellbird forms a significant component of the famed New Zealand dawn chorus of birdsong, which was much noted by early European settlers. Exceptional singing abilities were already observed by Captain James Cook, who described its song as "like small bells most exquisitely tuned".
More from the family Meliphagidae
Frequently asked questions
What does a New Zealand bellbird sound like?
You can hear 1 recording of the New Zealand bellbird on this page. Most birds have two kinds of vocalisation: songs, which are learned or innate phrases delivered mainly in spring and summer, and calls – brief contact, alarm and begging notes heard all year round.
Is the New Zealand bellbird endangered?
The IUCN Red List classifies the New Zealand bellbird as “least concern”.
What family does the New Zealand bellbird belong to?
The New Zealand bellbird (Anthornis melanura) belongs to the family Meliphagidae in the order Passeriformes.
Sources & credits
- Male bellbird 03 by Tony Wills – CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
- Wikidata Q394708 – CC0
- Wikipedia: New Zealand bellbird – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo by Sid Mosdell from New Zealand – CC BY 2.0