How to make a tui feeder

Forest and Bird, Volume 16, Issue 2, 1 May 1985, Page 28

How to make a tui feeder

He a coconut shell or a plastic flower pot with a shallow tin or plastic tub liner will make a good and easily cleaned feeder. Tie the feeder securely in the fork of a branch, as high as possible so as to be out of the reach of cats. Choose an open position so that the tuis can keep a good lookout for danger while they are feeding. If possible, use a tree that the tuis usually visit. They can also be attracted to a feeder if you surround it with nectar flowers, such as flame, bottle brush or gum, and if you use a red plastic liner. If all else fails, visiting silvereyes will bring the tuis in. Honey or sugar water is made by mixing 2 tablespoons of honey or sugar with 500mls (1 pint) of water. Tui-friendly plants to have in your garden could be banksia, waratahs, flowering gums, bottlebrush, ‘Taiwanese cherry, proteas, kowhai, rewarewa, flax and pohutukawa, all for nectar. Totara, kahikatea and coprosma will provide fruit. Next time you go to the garden centre, how about bringing back something for the tuis?