Fernbird

The fernbird, or mātātā, is a secretive endemic songbird that spends most of its time inside dense wetland vegetation. It is warm brown above with heavy dark streaking, paler below and has a long ragged-looking graduated tail; its paired metallic calls often reveal it first.

Separate forms occur in wetland and scrub habitats on the North, South, Stewart, Snares and Codfish islands. Fernbirds creep and hop through dense cover for insects and other small invertebrates, rarely making long exposed flights.

Fernbird is At Risk — Declining on the North and South islands, Threatened — Nationally Vulnerable on Rakiura/Stewart Island, and At Risk — Naturally Uncommon on the Snares and Codfish islands (NZ Threat Classification). Wetland drainage and introduced predators are important threats. Wetland boardwalks with intact raupō, sedges or low scrub offer the best chance; listen for the distinctive paired call.