I made these photographs in Southland, on the south coast of the South Island of New Zealand, where the two species were feeding together. Bellbirds tended to come to feed mainly when tui were absent. The larger, more aggressive birds seemed to displace the smaller bellbirds. I was able to photograph adults and juveniles of both species. They are renowned for their attractive song. Tuis in particular, have a very wide vocal range. Dialects vary regionally. Pollen from a variety of flowers decorates their heads from feeding deep inside the flowers. The pollen may be transferred from flower to flower as the birds move between feeding sources.

These are the only two members of the family Meliphagidae (honeyeaters) that occur in New Zealand.