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Fantail by Thijs de Koning


Our town has an activity zone which is very very popular with families and teenagers. Not only is there a skatepark but there is also a play area and will also in the near future include a cricket patch, a barbecue area, walking tracks, bicycle tracks,  soccer field, flying fox and cafe. I've researched the artist of this mural which is on the public toilet and it looks like it was painted by local artist Thijs de Koning and celebrates one of our iconic birds - the Fantail.

The Fantail or Piwakawaka as it's known in Maori is quite a friendly bird. They don't often hang about in public places but much prefer quiet native bush areas and tend to curiously flit around people. They are not endangered but in the Maori world they are known to bring news of a death from the gods to the people.

Linking up with Mural Monday and Our World Tuesday.
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Comments

Bertiebo said…
Never heard of a fantail. Lovely bird. Never heard of Thijs de Koning. Lovely work!
9 September 2019 at 16:29
Susan Heather said…
I love the colours. Beautifully done.
9 September 2019 at 17:15
Bleubeard and Elizabeth said…
I enlarged this for a better view of these birds. I enjoyed learning about them and how different they are from any found in my part of the world. This was an impressive find, Amy and it sounds like there are great plans for parts of this area, too.
9 September 2019 at 17:26
Iris Flavia said…
They look very cute - but the news they´re said to bring not so much...
9 September 2019 at 17:35
doodles n daydreams said…
I love fantails but I have to admit that I look on them quite differently than I used to. The reason? We never see fantails here but about a month before Mum passed a way they were in the trees on the edge of our section, then again just before my lovely aunt died. Then I was told the Maori belief...
Still they are lovely the way they flit about :)
Diana
9 September 2019 at 21:29
Sami said…
Love murals with birds and this one is so pretty :)
The Fantails look similar to the Wagtails.
Thanks for contributing Amy.
9 September 2019 at 23:18
Sharon said…
What cute little birds. They are perfect in this location.
10 September 2019 at 04:17
William Kendall said…
That's beautifully done!
10 September 2019 at 04:36
eileeninmd said…
Hello, the activity zone looks like a nice place for the families. I love the mural, pretty bird. Happy Monday, wishing you a great day and happy new week!
10 September 2019 at 07:35
Photo Cache said…
I love when they add murals to public places.

<a href="https://calart.blogspot.com>Worth a Thousand Words</a>
10 September 2019 at 08:19
Sallie (FullTime-Life) said…
It’s a sweet looking bird to be known as the bringer of sad news...I would have guessed that the legend would have had it be something fierce like a raptor. ... love the idea to make the public toilet building beautiful.
10 September 2019 at 13:30
Rhonda Albom said…
I've been told that they are very territorial so the flitting about is to warn you off. Who knows what goes through their little brains.
12 September 2019 at 09:07
PerthDailyPhoto said…
Oh this is gorgeous Amy, what a delightful discovery 💙🐦
12 September 2019 at 23:38
Pauline said…
Hi Amy, I haven't seen that mural although I loved the artist's work at Mangawhai. And I love fantails, how they flit around you as you walk in the bush. They like to hang around people or stock because we stir up little insects for them to feast on. I've had them come into my house. Maybe because I managed to chase them back out I averted death?? Sounds like the activity zone is going to be a real bonus for the area.
13 July 2020 at 12:01
Pauline said…
Oops, I'm confused. Sorry, Amy. Are you back in Mangawhai?
13 July 2020 at 12:03
Amypie71 said…
It is confusing sorry, we briefly had to move back there for 8 months, since then we've been lucky enough to come back to Kerikeri.
13 July 2020 at 12:22
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