Fun South Island Saddleback Facts For Kids

These birds are endemic to the remote evergreen coastal forests and mixed lowland broadleaf forests of New Zealand, offshore islands of extreme northeast and southeast South Island of New Zealand, and in a few parts of Stewart Island. Their population has been declining since the mid 19th century when increased predators and deforestation became threats to the saddlebacks. But they were relocated to the nearby islands where their range was restricted but the population of the predators decreased. The adult has shiny black plumage with a blue sheen when exposed to sunlight and has a chestnut-colored signature saddle on their back. They make less noise than the North Island saddlebacks and also differ in characteristics, like the North Island saddlebacks have larger wattles and a yellow line on their saddle. Of the two species, South Island saddlebacks were nearly extinct in the 19th century and were rescued by the Department of Conservation’s recovery program. You can also read about the eastern kingbird and the ani bird.

What do they prey on? Spiders, invertebrates, small insects

What do they eat? Omnivore

Average litter size? 2-3

How much do they weigh? 2.64-2.99 oz (75-85 g)

How long are they? 9.84 in (25 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Black, chestnut-colored saddle

Skin Type Feathers

What were their main threats? Cats, Rats

What is their conservation status? Near Threatened

Where you’ll find them? Evergreen Coastal Forests, Mixed Lowland Broadleaf Forests

Locations New Zealand

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Philesturnus

Class Aves

Family Callaeidae

South Island Saddleback Interesting FactsWhat type of animal is a South Island saddleback?The South Island saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) is a bird.What class of animal does a South Island saddleback belong to?The South Island saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) belongs to the class Aves.How many South Island saddlebacks are there in the world?According to the IUCN, the South Island saddleback is Near Threatened which means they are on the verge of extinction. But they are translocated to areas where the predator population is lower hence increasing the population of these birds. Around 2000 individuals are present and they are said to be increasing in population.Where does a South Island saddleback live?The South Island saddleback is found in New Zealand and exists on several offshore islands including Stewart Island. Many translocations on nearby islands have increased the island populations of these birds. These relocations introduced these birds to Big South Cape Island and the farthest corner of Muttonbird Islands off the southwest coast of Stewart Island. Around 1992 these birds were temporarily found on Breaksea Island.What is a South Island saddleback’s habitat?South Island saddlebacks (Philesturnus carunculatus) are secluded and their habitat is restricted to forest ranges. On Ulva and Big South Cape Island, these species breed in coastal areas. These New Zealand birds are most commonly found free in coastal forests and regenerating native forests, and are also seen in lower densities in mature tall native forests.Who do South Island saddlebacks live with?These New Zealand birds form monogamous pair bonds and live in their nest with their young. The saddlebacks usually occupy a single territory throughout their whole life and are found in pairs except when they are in search of food. Young saddlebacks are found in high-density areas in folks with their own species and are also seen in multi-species folks with other species like yellow-headed caracara, native green parakeets, brown creepers, and fantails during the non-breeding season.How long does a South Island saddleback live?South Island saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) can live up to 20 years. But due to introduced predators such as ship rats and stoats, they are almost extinct from Stewart Island and the mainland of New Zealand and are now confined to South Cape Island, Muttonbird Island, and Breaksea Island.How do they reproduce?South Island saddleback females usually build their nests on trunks or banks of trees with a low thermal variation during the early morning. They breed preferably in less crowded regions. The South Island saddleback egg is pale with light brown spots. They lay eggs for 20 days. The nestlings are kept and fed in the nest for up to 25 days. Their breeding season occurs mainly in their first year.What is their conservation status?The IUCN states that the conservation status of the South Island saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) is Near Threatened. They also established a threatened species recovery plan to rescue and relocate these almost extinct birds to islands where fewer introduced predators are habituated. They have been on the verge of extinction in the last century.South Island Saddleback Fun FactsWhat do South Island saddlebacks look like?Adult South Island saddlebacks are black and have a chestnut-colored saddle on their back. Their bodies are fleshy and shiny and have orange wattles on either side of their mouth and the tail is bluish-black. Adults have larger wattles than juvenile birds. South Island saddleback (P carunculatus) males and females are indistinguishable but behavioral differences can be noticed. The juveniles have small wattles and as they grow the wattles become larger. They are similar to the North Island saddlebacks who have slightly different characteristics. For example, the North Island saddleback has a bright yellow line on its saddle.How cute are they?South Island saddlebacks (Philesturnus carunculatus) are medium-sized with a black-colored body and chestnut-colored saddle at the back and are found throughout the mainland of New Zealand. They are cute and adorable birds who have lovely singing voices.How do they communicate?South Island saddlebacks are not as noisy as the North Island saddlebacks. They can whistle and make quiet calls while communicating with each other. They make loud chattering sounds throughout the day. Both the South Island saddleback male and female species of the bird can sing. They make territorial calls in the morning and sing with melodious sounds while mating in the breeding seasons.How big is a South Island saddleback?The bird can be as long as 9.84 in (25 cm) and is medium-sized when compared to a frigate.How fast can a South Island saddleback fly?The South Island saddleback is not a strong flier and the speed at which they can fly is not known.How much does a South Island saddleback weigh?They weigh around 2.64-2.99 oz (75-85 g).What are the male and female names of the species?They have no sex-specific names.What would you call a baby South Island saddleback?A South Island saddleback baby is called a chick.What do they eat?The South Island saddleback’s diet mainly includes invertebrates and they also eat fruits and nectar. They eat using their large, pointed bill to pick up, throw away leaf litters, sieve and sift trees and rotten wood and bark the trees. Are they dangerous?They are harmless and not dangerous in any way. They can sing and are themselves endangered due to introduced predators. They have been rescued by the department of conservation by translocations of the island populations to a habitat where there are fewer predators.Would they make a good pet?Saddlebacks are harmless but they are not allowed to be kept as pets because of the threatened species recovery program as they were almost in extinction in the last century.Did you know…Only 650 South Island saddlebacks are left in New Zealand and around the world.Why are they called saddlebacks?Saddlebacks are named so because of their brown feathers, which are reminiscent of a saddle. They are also called tieke in Maori because their loud calls are similar to staccato.Are South Island saddlebacks endangered?South Island saddleback’s population is relatively better than in the past, thanks to the recovery programs. The recovery program aimed at relocating the species to off-shore islands where the free predators like ship rats and stoats are fewer. However, they are still listed as a Near Threatened species by the IUCN.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our red-backed shrike facts and giant cowbird fun facts pages.You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable South Island saddleback coloring pages.Main image by Francesco Veronesi.Second image by Jacob Littlejohn.

What type of animal is a South Island saddleback?

The South Island saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) is a bird.

Fun South Island Saddleback Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Spiders, invertebrates, small insects

What do they eat? Omnivore

Average litter size? 2-3

How much do they weigh? 2.64-2.99 oz (75-85 g)

How long are they? 9.84 in (25 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Black, chestnut-colored saddle

Skin Type Feathers

What were their main threats? Cats, Rats

What is their conservation status? Near Threatened

Where you’ll find them? Evergreen Coastal Forests, Mixed Lowland Broadleaf Forests

Locations New Zealand

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Philesturnus

Class Aves

Family Callaeidae

Fun South Island Saddleback Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Spiders, invertebrates, small insects

What do they eat? Omnivore

Average litter size? 2-3

How much do they weigh? 2.64-2.99 oz (75-85 g)

How long are they? 9.84 in (25 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Black, chestnut-colored saddle

Skin Type Feathers

What were their main threats? Cats, Rats

What is their conservation status? Near Threatened

Where you’ll find them? Evergreen Coastal Forests, Mixed Lowland Broadleaf Forests

Locations New Zealand

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Philesturnus

Class Aves

Family Callaeidae

Fun South Island Saddleback Facts For Kids

What do they prey on? Spiders, invertebrates, small insects

What do they eat? Omnivore

Average litter size? 2-3

How much do they weigh? 2.64-2.99 oz (75-85 g)

How long are they? 9.84 in (25 cm)

How tall are they? N/A

What do they look like? Black, chestnut-colored saddle

Skin Type Feathers

What were their main threats? Cats, Rats

What is their conservation status? Near Threatened

Where you’ll find them? Evergreen Coastal Forests, Mixed Lowland Broadleaf Forests

Locations New Zealand

Kingdom Animalia

Genus Philesturnus

Class Aves

Family Callaeidae