What does a bellbird look like?

Answer 1

Bellbirds are fairly plain looking birds, and quite small, with a beak-to-tail length of up to 20cm.

The New Zealand Bellbird (Anthornis melanura) is olive-green for the male and an olive-grey for the female. Males also have a darker, indigo-purple sheen on their head, while their outer wing and tail and black. Females have a blue sheen on their head, and a creamy streak by their eye. Both male and female have a red eye.

The type of bellbird most commonly known in Australia is the Bell Miner, is also typically olive-green, with a bright yellow bill, a red-orange bare eye patch and orange-yellow legs. There is less difference between males and females, but young birds are paler. In fact, the Bell Miner is not a true bellbird, even though it is commonly known as the bellbird.

The Crested bellbird is a grey to brown bird with a black crest, a white forehead and throat, and a black breast. Females lack the black breast, and their crest is less obvious.

Answer 2

In New Zealand, the native bell bird; makomako or korimako in Maori; is a smallish bird, a honey eater. Its melodious chiming call is the origin of the European name. They measure about 27 - 30 cm from tip of beak to end of tail, and weigh in around 25 - 30 grams. They are an olive green colour. Their song, or parts of it, are often imitated by the Tui.