Photo: Bernard Spragg. NZ from Christchurch, New Zealand / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
South Island Saddleback
Philesturnus carunculatus
South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Australia & Oceania.
Found on 1 guide in our atlas — open it for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) is a member of the Callaeidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 74.7 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Callaeidae New Zealand Wattlebirds
- Genus Philesturnus
- Species carunculatus
Quick facts
- Weight
- 74.7 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Callaeidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Extinct
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The South Island Saddleback is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The South Island Saddleback is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) is a species of bird in the Callaeidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU South I., now mainly on satellites (New Zealand).
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 74.7 g, with a wing length of about 10.7 cm and a tail of around 10.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 12 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the South Island Saddleback?
The South Island Saddleback is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 74.7 g.
Where does the South Island Saddleback live?
The South Island Saddleback is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU South I., now mainly on satellites (New Zealand), where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the South Island Saddleback belong to?
The South Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) belongs to the Callaeidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the South Island Saddleback eat?
The South Island Saddleback is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the South Island Saddleback migrate?
The South Island Saddleback is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the South Island Saddleback endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the South Island Saddleback make?
1 real field recording of the South Island Saddleback — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the South Island Saddleback's range?
The South Island Saddleback has a mapped global range of about 12 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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