Pipipi Pipipi

1. Ash-grey face sharply contrasting with light buff underparts and reddish-brown crown and back

2. Reddish-brown crown, back, and tail with a dark bar at tail tip

3. Energetic, chattering flocks moving through the forest canopy

Pīpipi are insectivores though sometimes eat fruit. They have a knack for acrobatic foraging, sometimes upside down. They breed from September to February, with females building cup-shaped nests high in the canopy and incubating. Both parents feed the chicks. While not currently threatened, they face challenges from habitat loss and introduced predators.

Look for Pīpipi in forested areas throughout the South Island and Stewart Island, from sea level to the treeline as well as some offshore islands. They're most active during daylight hours, especially in the morning. Listen for their chattering calls high in the canopy of native podocarp and tall beech forests and other scrub forests. In winter and autumn, you might spot them in mixed flocks with other small birds. Tip: Look for them at least 2m high off the ground and into the canopy.

Known as Pīpipi in te reo Māori, these birds have been part of New Zealand's ecosystem for centuries. They've adapted well to various habitats, including some exotic plantations, showcasing their resilience in the face of landscape changes. Their cheerful presence in our forests makes them a beloved part of New Zealand's natural heritage.