Whitehead or White-Headed Pigeon?

General appearance

The Whitehead, also known as Mohoua albicilla, is a small songbird remarkably known for its distinct all-over snowy white plumage. Its body length is about between 5.9-6.3 inches and typically has wings that are edged in black. The bird has dark eyes and legs, with a slim, pointed dark-colored beak used for extracting insects from bark and foliage.

Male vs female

Males and females look similar with white plumage across their bodies, but males often have a brighter, more pure white coloration while females may have a slightly more off-white or creamy hue. Males also tend to slightly larger in size compared to females. Both sexes maintain their color year-round, with no significant seasonal variation.

Juvenile

Juvenile Whiteheads also show the characteristic white plumage, but this may be mottled with gray or buff, turning to complete white as they reach adulthood. Their beaks and the skin around their eyes could manifest slight shades of pink, which darken as the bird matures.

Primary habitat

The whitehead, a New Zealand bird species, primarily occupies mature and lowland forests.

Additional range

Its range extends to pine plantations, regenerated scrubland, and occasionally suburban gardens. It prefers climates where the environment is temperate.

Natural diet

The whitehead, a small bird native to New Zealand, primarily consumes insects as a staple of its natural diet. It forages through foliage and tree bark, seeking out small invertebrates such as caterpillars, ants, spiders, and beetles. These birds are adept at catching insects mid-air, supplementing this with the occasional fruit and seeds when insects are scarce, thus providing a varied diet balancing proteins and carbohydrates.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, whiteheads may occasionally eat offerings meant for other birds. They are attracted to suet and seed mixes particularly those containing sunflower seeds, which provide a high-energy snack. While not a common visitor to feeders, they may opportunistically exploit these resources when available, broadening their diet with items that mimic their natural preference for protein-rich food.