Mohoua

species of bird

Mohoua is a genus of three bird species endemic to New Zealand. The scientific name is taken from mohua – the Māori name for the yellowhead. Their taxonomic placement has presented problems: They have typically been placed in the whistler family, Pachycephalidae, but in 2013 it was established that they are best placed in their own family, Mohouidae. A large molecular genetic study published in 2019 found that the family is sister to the family Neosittidae, containing the three sittellas.

small species of passerine bird

The pīpipi (Mohoua novaeseelandiae), also known as brown creeper or New Zealand creeper, is a small passerine bird endemic to the South Island, Stewart Island and their surrounding islands, in New Zealand. It was called the New Zealand titmouse in the 1780s. It is a specialist insectivore, gleaning insects from branches and leaves. They have strong legs and toes for hanging upside down while feeding.