How To Make A Tui Feeder
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Making or Buying Bird Feeders to Attract Tuis To Your Garden
If you want to see a tui, don't go walking in the New Zealand bush - there are birds aplenty, and you'll hear the tuis singing everywhere, but you won't see many - they'll all be up in the canopy, and while you might see a distant silhouette or flutter of wngs in the crown of a tall kauri, that will be it. The best places to see tuis are from higher places and on the edges of native bush - a back deck level with the top of the bush, a garden with trees...
Or better yet, encourage them to visit your back garden! The tui feeds on tiny insects and on nectar, so doesn't damage the strawberries . Add in a cheerful and lively demeanour, and a relatively friendly attitude towards humans, and all in all, the tui is a splendid garden visitor. The best way to attract tuis is to plant native trees or to hang out a bird feeder. Tui feeders can be easily put together from sugar, water and a container - or you can order a specially made one.
Do you have feeding stations in your garden?
Feed the Birds
"Come feed the little birds, show them you care,
And you'll be glad if you do --
Their young ones are hungry, their nests are so bare;
All it takes is tuppence from you."
Listen To the Tuis Singing
Listen to tui birdsong as you read!
You can also buy the full track off Amazon for $0.99 (US)
How Do I Attract Tuis To My Garden?
What do Tuis Eat?
Tui Bird Feeding on Cherry Blossoms by Flynn_the_Cat
More Tui Cards
Tuis are honeyeaters - they feed on nectar from flowers. (They also eat fruit and insects - and I've seen them darting around in midair like a fantail, or hopping onto the ground to peck at something).
You can attract tuis by planting trees and plants that they can feed from - natives such as Pohutukawa, Rata, Kowhai (Sophora microphylla) and Flax are very popular. They'll happily feed from introduced species such as Cherry trees and Laburnum as well (one reason they're thriving!).
They'll also drink sugar-water - basically, water with sugar in it. Bird baths are also popular, all you need is a large enough container (that won't tip over!) - about the size of an two litre icecream carton, for example. You can find a few more ideas in this article: Birds in Your Garden. Please remember to keep your sugar-water bowls clean!
Tuis having a winter time feed - Trelissick Crescent, Ngaio, Wellington New Zealand
What's the difference between a tui and a hummingbird?
Tuis can remember the words!
Are Bird Feeders a Good Thing?
Or do they affect natural behaviour too much?
Native New Zealand Tui by TheArtsOfCarolynC
Learn where to sell posters online using Zazzle."Feed the birds," that's what she cries,
While overhead, her birds fill the skies.
Everyone likes having birds in the garden, and a bit of extra food can mean life or death for a songbird in winter - but what about the effects on their behaviour? Is getting them used to humans good? What if you forget to feed them? What if you feed them the wrong food?
Is it a good thing to have a bird feeder in the garden?
Of course! Great for the birds and great for us!
nadjaiskeniskie says:
I had a bird feeder but had to get rid of it. Whilst it did attract a lot of birds - It also allowed my cat to catch more birds (and bring into the house, dead - icky).
naturegirl7 says:
We use a combination of feeders and native plants that produce food and flowers. Here in Louisiana, there are plenty of insects, so the birds don't get too dependent on the seed or sugar water feeders. We enjoy watching them.
nickupton says:
Yes, in some places where farming is very intense, some species have begun to rely on garden bird feeders to survive the winters.
Garden bird feeders also play a vital role in connecting humans to nature.
Jimmie says:
Actually I don't because I don't have a yard (apartment dweller). But I think feeding the birds give people a chance to see them close up and appreciate nature.
wilddove6 says:
This question was brought up in my Bird Biology course, and interestingly enough, research indicates that birds who use feeders will do so for only a small percentage of their foraging time during the day...and still maintain their use of wild foods for much of their diet. This can change of course, if their normal, wild foods are unavailable due to a stretch of inclement weather, and feeding does provide easy access to foods, (like high fat foods) that would normally be difficult to find. But birds rarely become "dependent" on bird feeders, (with the exception of very old, very young, injured or ill birds).
Providing that "easy access" however, can change migration patterns, and distribution patterns over time if that access is dependable and a lot of people do it, (example, hummingbirds may visit a particular neighborhood or yard during migration if the food source is consistently there over a period of years).
No! I wish people wouldn't do it!
Kim Chalets @ Terraced Gardens says:
You don't need a bird feeder if you plant the right plants in your garden ffor them to feed naturally. The tuis feed on the flaxes and kaka beak plants but really adore kniphofia's (red hot pokers) which grow easily and I have planted everywhere. We have dozens of tuis in the Garden while they flower all summer long.
skiesgreen says:
Its hard to say. I have an apple tree for the birds and they eat from the native species in my garden. Sometimes I have had 20 or more king parrots and rosellas eating the apples outside my kitchen window. Its great to see birds in the garden but I don't use feeders now as they become too dependent on them. Also in Canberra a lot of birds used to humans feeding them are caught by smugglers.
How To Make Your Own Tui Feeder
Build a Feeder or Fill A Bowl
Tuis are honeyeaters and feed quite happily on sugar and water - the same way hummingbirds do. Basic feeding stations can be set up on a deck or up a tree, with a bowl of sugary water. Unfortunately we can't attract them to our deck, as we have cats, but we do get to watch them visiting our neighbours.So take 1 bowl, container or feeder and fill with water.
Dissolve sugar into the water.
Place somewhere a tui is likely to visit and wait for them to learn about it.
Ratios
In winter, add about half a cup of sugar to a cup of water.
In summer, when there's natural food around, add about 3 desert spoons of sugar to one cup of water
Extra Tips
-Sugar-water can go stale. Store any excess in the fridge
- The best time to put out feeders is in winter, when normal supplies of food are low and the birds are hungry. If you plant flowering trees, the tuis can move onto those in Spring and never leave the garden.
- It's better to hang the feeder, rather than put it on a deck railing, or a pole - unless you are very sure no cats or rats will be able to climb up
- You can add red food dye to the mix to attract the birds or put out bright orange chunks of oranges or mandarins.
- Or a bit of Complan (food replacement powder) in winter, for the protein and nutrients.
It doesn't have to be a complicated undertaking - below are some very nice tui feeders you can buy, but it can be as simple as this example of the most basic type of feeder - a bowl of water up a tree.
Four Native New Zealand Birds Drinking Mugs
Tui Feeding Chicks
A Tui drinks sugar water from a feeder and then vomits it down the throats of its two fledgling chicks
Tui Feeding From the Hand
Teach your tuis to trust you!
Tui feeding from my hand
This video is a thank you to a new found friend.He has patiently trained a tui to feed daily from a small jar that has been slightly filled with sugary water. The Tui responds to the sound of David's voice and the clinking of the small jar. I have now had the pleasure of having the Tui on my finger drinking the nectar fron the jar and I am so grateful to David for allowing me this privilege.The Tui is a stunning looking bird and hopefully I will get the chance to experience this wonderful connection to the wild bird species again soon.
Buying Tui Feeders
Ordering Specially Made Tui Feeders
NovaBird Oriole Fruit and Nectar Feeder 16 oz.
Amazon Price: (as of 06/02/2012)
List Price: $30.10
This Oriole feeder is built for a bird with a very similar size, and diet. Unlike a hummingbird feeder, which is built for a tiny, hovering bird, the tui and oriole are larger, perching birds.
So if you're looking for a ready-made birdfeeder, this would suit very well.
Tiritiri Matangi Bird Sanctuary Tui Feeders
A Bird Feeder from the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi Inc. Shop
The first is the Tiritiri Matangi Bird Sanctuary nectar feeder. They're quite basic - an upside down bottle, and a dish - but I've seen them in use on the island and work well. And all profits go back into the island towards the Sanctuary's conservation efforts.
Tiritiri Matangi is a large island off the coast of New Zealand, about two hours by ferry north of Auckland, and very worth visiting. You will see more birds flying (and running) free there than pretty much anywhere else in New Zealand, outside of a zoo aviary. One reason for this is because the DoC (Department of Conservation) managed to clear off all the pests (introduced mammals, mostly - rats and cats and mice and goats) that had destroyed the place. New Zealand has some of the strictest Biosecurity rules at immigration in the world and with good reason. Birds you can see there include Hihi (stitchbird), Tui, Kereru (Native NZ Woodpigeon), Silvereyes, Little Blue Penguins (they have nest boxes), Fantails, and a few tame Takahe (large, squat endangered marsh hens) around the visitors centre.
BIRD FEEDER
Attract tui and other nectar feeding birds to your garden with these imported nectar feeders. Instructions included on how to prepare the sugar water.
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$18
Shipping not included. Find ordering details and shipping costs from this page
The Original No. 8 Wire Tui Feeder
A feeder from Mapua Country Trading
, a book by Rosemary Tully featuring bird food recipes, at the bottom of the page).Proudly designed, made and tested in Mapua. The No. 8 Wire Tui Feeder is a lovely way to encourage Tui's and other nectar birds such as bell birds into your garden.
Made from wire and recycled soft drink bottles, these feeders come with a sturdy hook to hang them from branches, posts or even your clothesline.
Fill the bottle with a mixture of 1 part sugar and 3 parts water, put your finger over the hole, turn upside down and place in the wire holder.
The dish forms an airlock that releases the liquid as the birds drink it down.
$29.50
Address:
8 Aranui Road
Mapua 7005
Tasman
New Zealand
Titoki Sawmill Tui Bottle Feeders
Small Bottle Feeder - holds 330mls
WIDTH - 180mm
HEIGHT- 350mm
LENGTH - 230mm
Recommended for someone just trying to attract tuis for the first time (less initial cost and less wastage if only a few tuis are feeding)
Large Bottle Feeder - holds 750mls
WIDTH - 180mm
HEIGHT- 450mm
LENGTH - 230mm
Large Wooden Feeders From Just Add Worms
Buy Handmade Wooden Feeders
These feeders are larger, sturdier and a lot more expensive! They offer several sizes and even a pulley to raise and hang your feeder between trees!
Made from tanalised timber and exterior ply this unique liquid feeder is sure to attract plenty of tuis to your garden. Attach it to a pole or post or to avoid predators hang from a tree branch.
Contained within the wooden housing is a 1.5 litre bottle of sugared water that feeds into the tray below. It's a simple exercise to remove this unit for refilling. Four sight holes means checking the remaining liquid level is just a simple glance.
During winter the tuis have less natural food available so now is a great time to place one of these feeders in your garden. Feeder comes with operating instructions which includes mixing ratios for sugared water.
$80-$110, shipping $12.50-$19.50
Below are some relevant posts, whether you wish to buy or make your own feeder.
- From Wanaka To Whangarei Tuis Are Discovering This Magical Tui Feeder |JustAddWorms Garden Blog
- Back in March when I erected the first tui feeder in our back garden little did I imagine how popular this product would become. As the orders steadily
- Attract Birds To Your Garden With This Smorgasbord Feeder |JustAddWorms Garden Blog
- Over the last month I've been thinking about designing a feeder that would cater for more of the birds that visit our garden. Based on current sales the
- These Tuis Feeders Are Open 24/7 |JustAddWorms Garden Blog
- Whilst working in the back garden last weekend I filmed these tuis dropping by for some sweet treats, namely sugared water. Like clock work they begin...
(this video also directly below) - Where Have All The Tuis Gone? |JustAddWorms Garden Blog
- Where have all the tuis gone ? Long time passing Where have all the tuis gone ? Long time ago Where have all the tuis gone ? Daily I fed them every
- Tui Feeders … Going Up! |JustAddWorms Garden Blog
- Mount it on a pole or hang it on a tree branch. Up until last week this had been my usual response when asked about the best and easiest way to install
- Should I Paint Or Stain My New Tui Feeder? |JustAddWorms Garden Blog
- Over the last month I've been asked this question on a number of occasions therefore it's probably an opportune time to consider the pros and cons. We have
- The Tui, Me And NewstalkZB |JustAddWorms Garden Blog
- Whilst working in my workshop this afternoon my ears pricked up when I heard NewstalkZB talk back host Danny Watson announced that it was tech Tuesday. (Listen to an early interview about the feeders)
Tui Feeder Demonstration
Tuis Visiting a 'Just Add Worms' Bird Feeder
How To Refill the Tui Bird Feeder
From Just Add Worms
You'll want to clean it regularly, as you could make the birds ill if you leave the old sugar-water in there too long.
There's now a new and easier way to refill your tui feeders! It just involves a small modification to your existing feeder and is both simpler and less messy.
Some Useful Links To Other Bird Sites
How to make sugar water and create bird feeders.
Make a bird feeder for your garden | Forest and Bird
Forest & Bird. Protecting our native plants, a more...0 points
Birdwatching - Bird feeder - Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Feeders are a good way to attract birds. This one more...0 points
StickyTV: tui bird feeder
HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED
½ c white sugar
1 c water
more...0 points
Learn About the Tui Bird
Read about the Tui's habitat, history, and mythology!
Tui Twitters
Who on earth is twittering about the tui bird?
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- jit_BOSS
- @Love___Bird achis naki tui..???
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- ipriya_dev
- @Love___Bird haa bindas..tui?
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- Love___Bird
- @chandan2chandan : sob janish tui ! ;) @koelfan_biva
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- ipriya_dev
- @Love___Bird tui ki kr6s bol!
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- jit_BOSS
- @Love___Bird ki re tui fb asli..abar chole geli kno..??
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- probir2011
- @love___bird picta ami tke kalkey dtam bt tui chlshna tai daini....
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- probir2011
- @love___bird age flmta aste to de tar por plan pathiye dbo chle asbi thn tui r @pinks08 divai dkhte jas flmta.
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- me_toishi
- @Love___Bird tui amai fb te request pathiechs???..bt accpt hoche naa toh ki dekhache link xpired
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- Love___Bird
- @Koelfan_biva : ok! tui park e thakish ;)
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- jit_BOSS
- @Love___Bird good noon...sala amar life tai story hoye gelo..kmn achis tui..
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Wal
May 9, 2012 @ 7:14 pm | delete
- I do not like the idea of feeding our birds with "Cane Sugar" you only have to look at what it does to the human body to realize its actually toxic !... my bird feeder has a mixture of fruit juices, and honey diluted in water, perhaps you should also revise you,re method of feeding in a similar manner !!
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pawpaw911
Jul 24, 2011 @ 11:58 am | delete
- What an interesting bird.
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nickupton
Apr 13, 2011 @ 10:56 am | delete
- Excellent stuff. Featured on my "How to be a good birdwatcher" lens.
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puerdycat
Feb 23, 2011 @ 3:16 pm | delete
- From hummingbird country and love "Tui's remember the words"! Lensrolled you to my http://www.squidoo.com/christchurch-canterbury-new-zealand
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Jewelsofawe Feb 15, 2011 @ 1:00 am | delete
- Awesome lens! Blessing it!
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lravidlearner Feb 9, 2011 @ 12:56 pm | delete
- Wonderfully melodic birds. Blessed by another Squid Angel ~
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javrsmith
Dec 29, 2010 @ 8:54 am | delete
- Very pretty birds. This lens has been blessed by a Squid Angel.
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naturegirl7 Nov 10, 2010 @ 7:08 am | delete
- Thanks for the great lens. I enjoy learning about new birds. The Tui is a lot like our Orioles. This lens has been featured on Wings of Winter
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nickupton
Sep 19, 2010 @ 6:31 am | delete
- Great lens. This sort of thing does wonders for encouraging people to take an interest in birds.
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ShamanicShift
Sep 19, 2010 @ 3:27 am | delete
- I have featured this on my Nature-Lenses lens -- changed one of FL modules to a "birds only" list after I found this great lens.
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Amanda
Aug 17, 2010 @ 6:10 pm | delete
- fantastic site, great helpful info, thankyou
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Melanie
Jul 8, 2010 @ 2:25 am | delete
- just what I was looking for. Thanks!
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John
Jun 15, 2010 @ 10:54 pm | delete
- For a tui feeder I use a large red or orange fishing float with five holes cut round the outside about half way up sat inside a wire basket it will hold about two ltr's of sugarwater which in turn will last my guys about half a day
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WeddingZazzle
Apr 21, 2010 @ 2:51 am | delete
- Nicely done. I've never heard of the Tui...so I learned something new :) Blessed by a SquidAngel :)
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justaddworms
Mar 15, 2010 @ 7:13 am | delete
- Great lens. I make the tui feeders under the Just Add Worms brand name and stumbled upon this some time back. The tui is a constant visitor to our back garden and we love having them around. Love the shots of David hand feeding the tui ... I'm envious as I've not been able to do that yet.
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About Me
by Flynn_the_Cat
I'm a Marine Biology post-graduate student, digital artist, traditional artist and photographer, obsessive reader, librarian...
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Learn About the Tui
Perky Pet 449-2 Oriole Feeder
Perky-Pet Opus Plus 32-ounce Plastic 449-2 Oriole Feeder
Amazon Price: $9.44 (as of 06/02/2012)
If you're looking for a ready-made tui feeder, or just a guideline to look at for making your own, the oriole and the hummingbird have the closest feeding habits. Sadly, a hummingbird feeder is built for tiny little birds, so that only leaves the oriole.
Just Add Worms
A New Zealand Blog and Birds and Bird Feeders
