New Zealand Fernbird | Mātātā (Poodytes punctatus)
The New Zealand Fernbird, known as Mātātā in Māori, is a small, insectivorous bird endemic to New Zealand. They are often found in dense, low wetland vegetation and are more often heard than seen. Fernbirds have a distinctive brown plumage streaked with black and a long, tattered tail.
Fernbirds primarily feed on insects and other small invertebrates. They are found in various habitats, including wetlands, shrublands, and tussock grasslands. Despite their adaptability, they have disappeared from large areas of New Zealand and are now patchily distributed.
