Tiny Tree Potatoes: Tītipounamu/Rifleman Bird
_clinging_to_tree_trunk.jpg "Juvenile female titipounamu rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris) clinging to tree trunk. Image: Melissa Boardman, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.")
Juvenile female titipounamu rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris) clinging to tree trunk. Image: Melissa Boardman, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Every year, Forest & Bird — a conservation organisation here in Aotearoa— runs the Bird of the Year competition to raise awareness about threats facing our manu māori — native birds.
The event garners significant online attention, with endorsements from celebrities, politicians and nature enthusiasts alike. Last year the competition reached a global audience, when it and the crested grebe were given a massive push by comedian John Oliver.
This year, Te Manawa backed the teeny-tiny tītipounamu (rifleman), our smallest manu māori, for its adorable presence, ecological importance, and conservation status. Although the competition was fierce, the hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin) took the crown this year.
We’re not disheartened by this, as the hoiho is a worthy winner and we know how awesome the tītipounamu is.
Rifleman – Tītipounamu (Acanthisitta chloris). Image: Shellie Evans, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 via Flickr
Life in the Forest
The tītipounamu is not just the smallest manu māori in Aotearoa — it’s also one of the most charming! Measuring just 8 centimetres long and favouring forest habitats over big cities, the tītipounamu is more often heard than seen. Their distinctive high-pitched calls echo through their habitats, while their green plumage blends with the foliage.
In the comfort of their forest homes, these tiny birds are incredibly dedicated parents. Tītipounamu pairs form bonds and work closely together to raise their chicks, showcasing remarkable co-parenting. They take turns building intricate nests, feeding their young, and keeping an eye out for predators.
New Zealand South Island rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris chloris). Image: digika from Sydney, Australia, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Facing Threats
Like many of our manu māori, the tītipounamu faces numerous threats that have led to declining populations in some areas. Introduced predators such as rats, stoats, hedgehogs, and possum prey on eggs, chicks, and even adult birds. Additionally, habitat loss due to deforestation and urbanisation reduces the available nesting and foraging sites they rely on. Diseases and competition from introduced bird species can also pose challenges for these little forest dwellers.
Due to their tiny size and short wings, tītipounamu are not strong fliers. They tend to make short, fluttering flights from branch to branch rather than long-distance journeys. This limited flight ability means they are particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation — when forests are broken up by human activities or natural events, even small gaps between forest patches can become impassable. As a result, populations can become isolated, reducing genetic diversity and making them more susceptible to threats.
_peeking_out_from_foliage.jpg "Juvenile male tītipounamu rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris) peeking out from foliage. Image: Melissa Boardman, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons")
Juvenile male tītipounamu rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris) peeking out from foliage. Image: Melissa Boardman, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Habitat fragmentation is a common threat for species all over the world. When large, habitats are broken up into smaller, isolated patches, wildlife can struggle to find food, mates and safe nesting sites. Fragmented habitats create smaller populations that are more vulnerable to extinction due to environmental changes or random events (e.g. forest fires or severe storms).
Climate change adds even more challenges to be faced by the tītipounamu. Altered weather patterns can impact the availability of their insect food sources and may affect breeding cycles. Warmer temperatures also allow invasive predators to expand into higher elevations where the rifleman currently finds refuge.
It is an all-too-common story that a species becomes endangered, or even extinct, despite early signs of decline—often because they are still common enough to see, or due to the human tendency to believe there is plenty of time to act. With the tītipounamu, we are at a potential precipice, but we can act now before it is too late.
Female South Island rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris chloris), Lake Sylvan circuit. Image: Digitaltrails, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 via Flickr
Taking Action
Stop the Decline
The first step in protecting the tītipounamu is to curtail population decline by safeguarding the habitats where the species is still abundant. This involves implementing predator control programs to remove invasive species like rats and stoats from these areas.
Habitat Restoration and Reintroductions
Increasing the range of the rifleman through reintroduction to restored historical habitats can help expand their populations. Efforts include planting native trees and shrubs to rebuild the forest structure they need for nesting and foraging.
Wildlife/Ecological Corridors
By creating corridors of trees and bush for native birds to move through, isolated populations will have the chance to reconnect. These corridors allow tītipounamu to safely traverse between forest patches, promoting genetic diversity and increasing resilience against environmental changes.
How You Can Help
You can help native flora and fauna by volunteering with local conservation groups, such as Green Corridors: range to river or by participating in community planting days. In Palmerston North and not sure where to start? Try the Get Involved page the Environmental Network Manawatū (ENM) website.
Other ways you can help are by supporting predator control initiatives, donating to conservation organisations, or simply spreading awareness about the tītipounamu and other native species in Aotearoa. Every action, no matter how small, contributes to a larger effort to protect our precious native birds.
