Rifleman, Titipounamu

Acanthisitta chloris

Bird Songs

Information

New Zealand status: Endemic

Conservation status: Not Threatened

The Rifleman/titipounamu is New Zealand’s smallest bird. 

They can be hard to detect given their tiny size and very high-pitched calls. Males are moss green on top while females are speckled brown, and both have cream underparts and distinctive pale brows. Juveniles have dark streaks over their head and breast. The birds have a slender, pointed black bill and a very short tail.

In Dunedin, there are nesting pairs in Ross Creek Reserve, Orokonui Ecosanctuary and in native forest around Portobello on the Otago Peninsula.

Find out more about riflemen/titipounamu