The thread of learning something new every day

Crucial

Their bravery or 'don't give a shit' attitude that has been one of their downfalls. They are afraid of nothing (the terrier of the bird world), including humans, and their biggest threat has often been fuckwit pigeon fanciers and chicken owners that decide to shoot them, often mistaking them for the far more populous and larger Harrier Hawk (the ones you see eating road kill and soaring in circles).
Harriers are scared of Karearea.
 
Back toward the 'something you learn' topic, I had previously heard Tui called the 'guardian of the forest' but didn't pay it much attention thinking it was a Maori folklore name.
At Wingspan, when they let one of the Karearea off to circle the valley and swoop on the lure, the Tui came out and flew higher, making a racket. They explained that this was the Tui alerting the other birds there was a predator around.

taniwharugby

The story I heard of Maori folklore is that the white part under the chin supposed to have been put there by Tane Mahuta to show everyone the Tui was a coward for not wanting to protect the forest floor because he was scared of the dark, when Tane Mahuta asked all the birds for help and then with the Pukeko not wanting to get his feet wet, was then consigned to the swamps and then the brightly coloured Kiwi volunteered and although lost its colour and ability to fly due to foraging around the forest floor it is now the most revered bird.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.kiwinewz.com/html/losewing.htm'>http://www.kiwinewz.com/html/losewing.htm</a>
 
One time I was awoken at about 5am to some birds making a hell of a racket, when I looked out the window 2 Tui were dive bombing a bird on the ground, so I went out to look and it was a Morepork that was sitting there, so I picked it, put it in a box for an hour and then when I opened it, it flew away.
 
Also had a baby Morepork fly into our window just last week, when I went out to see it, it was amusing watching it turn it's head right around as it followed me, only for it to fly away when I reached out to pick it up.

Hooroo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="491427" data-time="1432078157">
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The story I heard of Maori folklore is that the white part under the chin supposed to have been put there by Tane Mahuta to show everyone the Tui was a coward for not wanting to protect the forest floor because he was scared of the dark, when Tane Mahuta asked all the birds for help and then with the Pukeko not wanting to get his feet wet, was then consigned to the swamps and then the brightly coloured Kiwi volunteered and although lost its colour and ability to fly due to foraging around the forest floor it is now the most revered bird.
 
 
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That is quite cool.
 
That certainly explains why Pukeko's lift their feet delicately when around the marshes. (According to legend of course)

Crucial

That could be good or bad news TR. 
Some believe that if Ruru enter your house or hang around nearby their will be a death in the family, others believe they carry the protective spirit of your family. <img src="http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/19/d3b0899b9bcb7d73150b9402b278d9b8.jpg" alt="d3b0899b9bcb7d73150b9402b278d9b8.jpg">

taniwharugby

he/she didnt hang around!! 
 
There is the same spritual belief with a Fantail/piwakawaka flying in your house isnt there? 
 
At the place we were renting while building they hung about all the time, but only cos of the big juicy Puriri moths that they got to eat! 
 
Which I learnt something new about when I saw them...they live for about 5 years as a grub in the Puriri tree, yet spend only about 24-48 hours as a moth!

Paekakboyz

Had heard about the Ruru and fantail and what they might signal. I think you are sweet if the fantail flies in and out... but if it hangs about not so good? 
 
Thanks for sharing the stuff about the Tui and Pukeko, will have a laugh next time I see a Puke...oh oh oh don't want to get my feet wet!!

Crucial

Another 'did you know'
 
Apparently the wide eyed look while doing Pukana originates from the look of the Ruru. Tell your kids that when they are next watching the ABs haka.
 
While they may look cute, people often forget that like other owls they are birds of prey. The night time versions of eagles and falcons and can be quite fierce with it.

Hooroo

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="491432" data-time="1432080818">
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That could be good or bad news TR. 
Some believe that if Ruru enter your house or hang around nearby their will be a death in the family, others believe they carry the protective spirit of your family. <img src="http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/19/d3b0899b9bcb7d73150b9402b278d9b8.jpg" alt="d3b0899b9bcb7d73150b9402b278d9b8.jpg">
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"You just farted, didn't you!?"

Paekakboyz

ha ha I see that more in a Gizzy context, bro that shits good man. I'm hungry yo, got any mice stashed round here!!?

Hooroo

Ones on Coke/pilling and one is on weed! :)

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Paekakboyz" data-cid="491442" data-time="1432085025">
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Had heard about the Ruru and fantail and what they might signal. I think you are sweet if the fantail flies in and out... but if it hangs about not so good? 
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Shit - I might be fucked. I've had a fantail flying into the house all summer - and I thought he was just doing a good job eating daddy long legs off the walls. He's always gone outside again so maybe it's just... .arrrghhhhh...............
 
As a supplement to several stories above, my mother told me they had a little bird fly into their sunroom windows just the other day and stun itself. While it was sitting on the grass recovering a Karearea swooped in and nabbed it.

Nepia

I've learned today that the Fern has no limits on its nerdiness .... ;)
 
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Paekakboyz" data-cid="491442" data-time="1432085025">
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Had heard about the Ruru and fantail and what they might signal. I think you are sweet if the fantail flies in and out... but if it hangs about not so good? 
 
Thanks for sharing the stuff about the Tui and Pukeko, will have a laugh next time I see a Puke...oh oh oh don't want to get my feet wet!!
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Where I'm from it's all good as long as it flies out the same way it came in - you can't let if fly out another way. I remember my Nan going nuts making all us kids close all the windows in the house one day.

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="491495" data-time="1432111637">
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I've learned today that the Fern has no limits on its nerdiness .... ;)
 
 
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So you visit a forum almost daily to talk Sports, movies, TV, Music, politics, finances and a multitude of other BS, and you just realised this?

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="491495" data-time="1432111637">
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I've learned today that the Fern has no limits on its nerdiness .... ;)
 
 
Where I'm from it's all good as long as it flies out the same way it came in - you can't let if fly out another way. I remember my Nan going nuts making all us kids close all the windows in the house one day.
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Fantail hasn't got me yet - but it will be a test - maybe now I know this theory it will be like having a bone pointed at me. I'm going to work on the (slightly discriminatory) theory that it's not applicable to pakeha. But, if I sold my house to your Nan - with its trained fantail - could that be murder? 
 
A pair of them nested right outside my office window last spring...was pretty cool watching them raise the chicks.

Crucial

I always thought Piwakawaka were just holders of visiting spirits. I know when my mother in law died, we were going around her garden picking flowers and things and this piwakawaka followed us the whole time and everyone attributed it to that.
 
But doing some searching it looks like the predominant legend is predicting the death of a male. The bit I was told was the aspect of being a messenger from the dead.
 
Chris. You're fucked.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="491633" data-time="1432191717">
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But doing some searching it looks like the predominant legend is predicting the death of a male. The bit I was told was the aspect of being a messenger from the dead.
 
Chris. You're fucked.
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Bugger - better have another beer then. :)

Bones

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Crucial" data-cid="491414" data-time="1432071525">Cool. 
The Karerearea should be our national bird. The Kiwi is a pathetic wuss in comparison. 
Much more regal as well. Here's a photo I took earlier in the year. <img src="http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/05/19/7d1c3718baa860a20f65682868e3e99e.jpg" alt="7d1c3718baa860a20f65682868e3e99e.jpg"></blockquote>
I dunno on the kiwi being too much of a wuss. I've seen doco footage of one putting a world of hurt on a possum.

dogmeat

Seen the size of a kiwi egg? The female at least has errr balls

Mokey

She lays the egg then says righto, fuck that, I've done my bit now I'm off out with the girls, and the bloke sits on the egg for the entire incubation time.
 
Apparently, kiwi divorce can happen.
 
Ok, laughing hysterically at this description about kiwi mating from <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://www.kiwisforkiwi.org/about-kiwi/kiwi-facts-characteristics/kiwi-life-cycle/mating/'>https://www.kiwisforkiwi.org/about-kiwi/kiwi-facts-characteristics/kiwi-life-cycle/mating/</a>

Mating behaviour

With no colourful plumage or a beautiful song to attract his mate, the male kiwi has developed the strategy of persistence. He follows her about, grunting. If uninterested, she may run away, or use her greater weight and size to see him off. However, if she is interested, mating takes place, three or more times a night during the peak of activity.
The male taps or strokes the female on her back, near the base of her neck. She crouches low with her head stretched forward and resting on the ground. Because the female is the larger bird, the male needs her full co-operation. He climbs onto her back, which can be difficult with no wings or tail to help him balance. Often he will grasp her back feathers in his beak to help his balance.
The kiwi female calls the shots during mating. If she loses interest she may wander away, leaving the male in an undignified heap on the ground.

mariner4life

holy fuck, i am a kiwi!

The Silver Fern

The thread of learning something new every day