The Rock Wren, or Tuke, is a small ground dwelling bird and is New Zealand's only true alpine bird.
Habitat
The Rock Wren is endemic to the western half of the South Island and lives close to the alpine tree line. They nest on the ground in rock cracks.
Description
At 10cm long the Rock Wren is smaller that a sparrow and weighs 16-20g. They have a short beak, good for eating insects, and large feet to hold on the rocks. Rock Wrens have short tail feathers and creamy white eyebrows. Males have a dull green back whereas females have a pale brown back.
Diet
Rock Wren are omnivores. They like eating insects, spiders and fruit from Snowberry (Gaultheria) and Coprosma spp. plants.
Threats
Because Rock Wrens nest on the ground, it is easy for stoats and mice to eat the eggs and chicks of the Rock Wren. Rock Wren can not fly very well and spend most of their time on the ground so they are easy prey for stoats. Climate change means that it is warmer in the mountains, where Rock Wren live, so it is more suited for stoats and mice to live there. Their population is patchy but no-one knows how many there are therefore Rock Wren are listed Nationally Endangered.
How can we help?
One way to reduce predators coming into the Rock Wrens habitat is by helping to stop climate change. Also, if you live near where the Rock Wren live, you can help by catching stoats and mice so they do not make their way up the mountain to where the Rock Wren nests. Another way to help is to donate to, or be part of, the Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust. You can also report sightings of well, sick, injured or dead Rock Wren to the Department of Conservation.
The Rock Wren is endemic to the western half of the South Island and lives close to the alpine tree line. They nest on the ground in rock cracks.
Description
At 10cm long the Rock Wren is smaller that a sparrow and weighs 16-20g. They have a short beak, good for eating insects, and large feet to hold on the rocks. Rock Wrens have short tail feathers and creamy white eyebrows. Males have a dull green back whereas females have a pale brown back.
Diet
Rock Wren are omnivores. They like eating insects, spiders and fruit from Snowberry (Gaultheria) and Coprosma spp. plants.
Threats
Because Rock Wrens nest on the ground, it is easy for stoats and mice to eat the eggs and chicks of the Rock Wren. Rock Wren can not fly very well and spend most of their time on the ground so they are easy prey for stoats. Climate change means that it is warmer in the mountains, where Rock Wren live, so it is more suited for stoats and mice to live there. Their population is patchy but no-one knows how many there are therefore Rock Wren are listed Nationally Endangered.
How can we help?
One way to reduce predators coming into the Rock Wrens habitat is by helping to stop climate change. Also, if you live near where the Rock Wren live, you can help by catching stoats and mice so they do not make their way up the mountain to where the Rock Wren nests. Another way to help is to donate to, or be part of, the Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust. You can also report sightings of well, sick, injured or dead Rock Wren to the Department of Conservation.
References
New Zealand Birds Online: http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/rock-wren
New Zealand Birds: https://www.nzbirds.com/birds/rockwren.html
Fauna Recovery New Zealand: https://faunarecovery.org.nz/rock-wren/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_rock_wren
Department of Conservation: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/rock-wren-tuke/
My year 4 project on Rock Wrens.
New Zealand Birds Online: http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/rock-wren
New Zealand Birds: https://www.nzbirds.com/birds/rockwren.html
Fauna Recovery New Zealand: https://faunarecovery.org.nz/rock-wren/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_rock_wren
Department of Conservation: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/rock-wren-tuke/
My year 4 project on Rock Wrens.