Tomtit – Miromiro

Petroica macrocephala

A pair of Tomtits live between the lodge and the open space just past the creek

That is where the photo was taken. They are attracted to trampers as they disturb insects for them to feed on.

Tomtits other Other names:

New Zealand Tomtit, Pied Tit, Yellow-Breasted Tit, Black Tit, Ngirungiru, Miromiro, Pied Tomtit, Yellow-Breasted Tomtit, Black Tomtit, Piropiro, Maui-Potiki
The Tomtit is a forest and shrubland inhabiting species of both native and exotic habitats. It is rarely seen in highly modified open habitats, such as farmland and suburbia.

Colouration :

Most populations are dimorphic, males(top photo) being mainly black-and-white, and females mainly brown-and-white. Adult females are brown over the head, back and wings (white/buff wingbar present), and fawn on the upper chest which fades to white on the belly. Juvenile females are similar, but with faint streaking on the head.

Voice:

both sexes make short seet, zet or swee contact calls throughout the year, most often given singularly, but up to five in quick succession. Full song is given by adult males throughout the year, except during the moult period . The song has been rendered as ti-oly-oly-oly-ho, and lasts 2-3 seconds.

Distribution and habitat

This adaptable species uses a variety of habitats from sea level to the subalpine zone. Tomtits can be found in all mature native forest types, including podocarp-broadleaf, beech, and manuka-kanuka forests, as well as regenerating forests after being logged.

Breeding

The breeding season extends mainly from September to February. During this period pairs are able to rear three broods, although very few achieve this because clutches and broods are taken by predators.
Nests are well concealed in thick vegetation or shallow cavities, and most clutches consist of 3-4 eggs. While the female alone incubates the eggs, the male assists by providing food to his mate 2-3 times an hour. Both feed nestlings and fledglings.

Behaviour and ecology

Tomtits remain in their territories throughout the year. During the moult, (February-April) territorial activities, such as singing, boundary patrolling and chasing out intruders, are much reduced, but during the rest of the year, especially during the breeding season, both males and females are vigorous in territorial defence.
While territorial adults are sedentary, juveniles and immatures looking for mates and vacant habitat sometimes disperse tens of kilometres, including crossing unsuitable habitat (e.g. open-country farmland) and over water. As a result individuals are sometimes seen during autumn-winter in some towns.

Food

Tomtits feed on a wide range of small invertebrates, including spiders, amphipods, beetles, flies, moths (both adults and larvae) and weta. Also, small fruit are occasionally eaten, being swallowed whole.

Tomtits search for prey at all levels in forest, from in emergents above the canopy to the ground. Their principle method of foraging involves scanning the surrounding area while perched on a branch or clinging to a trunk, and then flying forth to snatch up a prey item or moving to another perch to scan a new area. Areas scanned for prey include all vegetation surfaces and the ground. They generally forage alone or in pairs, but occasionally associate with mixed-species foraging flocks.

Recovery plan for Tomtits – Miromiro in the Tangihua ranges

Issue

The main threat is from introduced mammalian predators, particularly ship rats. While many clutches and broods are taken by predators, adult females also suffer mortality because they alone incubate clutches and brood young, and their habit of nesting in shallow cavities means that they are not always able to escape once a predator arrives at the nest.

Action

• Removal of predators such as rats, possums, cats and stoats