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Kōkō

 

I'm very fortunate to have a Kōwhai tree in my front garden. Kōwhai is the Maori word for yellow and as you can see from the colour of the flowers they are very vibrant. Every Spring they attract these birds known as the Tui or the Kōkō in Maori language.


In Te Ao Maori this bird has a huge significance. They are thought of as messengers of Atua (God's) in heaven. They are associated with life fulfillment, confidence and spiritual harmony.


Native birds including the Tui but also the Kereru (wood pigeon) and Bellbird all love to feast on the flowers which are an important source of nectar food for them.


Linking up with Mosaic Monday and Blue Monday.

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Comments

Tom said…
...it looks a bit like our forsythia.
10 September 2023 at 13:41
Tigger's Mum said…
You lucky thing. I want to plant kowhai and tussocks on my land (story coming soon) but I wonder if I will live to see them grow full size. You capture of a tui is fantastic. You lucky people to have them so close.
10 September 2023 at 17:33
Fun60 said…
I was about to make exactly the same comment as above. The forsythia is the first of my trees to flower and the branches are covered in yellow before any leaves make sn appearance.
10 September 2023 at 17:33
local alien said…
This reminds me of the kowhai tree in my father's garden. The tui's song was so melodic.
10 September 2023 at 19:44
At Home In New Zealand said…
The kowhai are flowering here too and the tuis love them :)
10 September 2023 at 20:00
Graham Edwards said…
I used to sit on the verandah of The Cottage drinking coffee and listen to the Kōkō/Tui and Bellbird and many others. Happy days.
10 September 2023 at 23:29
gz said…
Both the trees and birds are a lovely sight
11 September 2023 at 00:48
s.c said…
Interesting knowledge here. Thanks.
11 September 2023 at 00:51
Bill said…
The Kōwhai tree and the bird are pretty.
11 September 2023 at 05:42
roentare said…
So good to learn about the bird. So interesting.
11 September 2023 at 09:47
Jim said…
Hi Amy, I like you Koko Bird in the Kōwhai tree in your front garden, for which "Kōwhai" is the Maori word. On our NZ cruise we visited a group of the Indigenous People, the Māori's, who gave us a demonstration of one of their tribal greetings offered to visiting persons. A part of that was rubbing noses with their welcoming dignitaries, for which Mrs. Jim and I participated. Oh yes, they were on the East Coast.
If you tried to reciprocate commenting before, my links were wrong, but I fixed things up for now.
..
12 September 2023 at 05:04
Janice said…
That sounds like R2D2. As the sound effects person noted in a recent documentary he recorded natural sounds, industrial sounds, and about anything in between.
12 September 2023 at 08:00
EricaSta said…
Yes I agree too. This remembering me on the Forsithie.

There are many other interestings things here to see, to read. I enjoyed your post.

Thank you for sharing and being part at
MosaicMonday.

Have a wonderful week.
Greetings by Heidrun
15 September 2023 at 03:57
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