The Cute Tiny Tomtits With Oversized Heads On A Ball Of Yellow Feathers

The tomtit (Petroica macrocephala) fits perfectly into the Australasian robins family, with a large head, tiny beak, and round puffed-out little body. They found only on the islands of New Zealand.

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 (February-April). The song has been rendered as "ti-oly-oly-oly-ho", and lasts 2-3 seconds. Also, give a downscale call, a series of 'chuck' calls, descending in tone, and which start in rapid succession and finish slowly. Downscales are sometimes given after a neighbour has given such a call, and also in response to such calls by robins.