Rifleman

Tītitipounamu is generally considered New Zealand’s smallest bird and belongs to the ancient New Zealand wren lineage. Males are bright green above and females yellow-brown; both have a tiny short tail and slender slightly upturned bill. Rock wren is larger, longer-legged and alpine.

South Island birds remain widespread along the main divide, while North Island populations are isolated in mountain forests and a few sanctuaries. Pairs flick their wings while gleaning tiny insects from trunks and canopy branches and nest in cavities.

Rifleman is Not Threatened overall, but the North Island subspecies is At Risk — Declining (NZ Threat Classification). Rats and stoats threaten cavity nests. South Island forest tracks in Fiordland, Mount Aspiring and Arthur’s Pass are good places to listen for the high contact call.