Tieke/Saddleback for Bird of the Year

14 October 2011
Tieke/Saddleback for Bird of the Year

The Tieke/Saddleback will be mounting a fierce challenge to claim the title of Forest & Bird ‘Bird of the Year’ in 2011, Tieke campaign manager Jackson James Wood said today.

Standing atop the Whymper Saddle, on the West Coast of the South Island, with a Saddleback perched on his right shoulder, addressing a crowd of cheering supporters, Wood announced the Saddleback’s plan to woo Aotearoan aviphiles.

“New Zealanders love the Tieke, they just don’t know it yet,” said Wood as he carefully patted the head of his fine feathered friend.

“From their wrinkly, fire-engine red wattles, to their chic chestnut saddle, you just know you’re looking at something that is absolute avian awesomeness.”

Wood said that the cheeky and inquisitive nature of the Tieke would win over swing voters who have in the past been enticed by flashy colours and cheap promises—plumage to the real issues.

“The Saddleback is a fighter; at one point it was almost extinct. But just like that other great New Zealand native Piri Weepu, they never give up,” said Wood.

When asked about how the Tieke felt about its chances in the competition, the Saddleback cheekily answered “ti-e-ke-ke-ke-ke” and scrambled around in the undergrowth looking for insects.

Votes for the Tieke/Saddleback can be cast from Thursday 20 October on the Forest and Bird website www.birdoftheyear.org.nz

Supporters can ‘like’ the Tieke/Saddleback on Facebook here http://www.facebook.com/tiekesaddleback and follow its Campaign Manager’s Tweets here http://twitter.com/_jjw_

ENDS

Pre-recorded audio of the Tieke can be found here http://bit.ly/tiekesaddleback

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