Different bird species can occupy the same habitat without competing for food because of their different feeding structures

While tūī and kererū both feed on fruit from native trees, the kererū has the widest gape out of all New Zealand native birds. This enables it to eat the largest berries in the forest. Together, these and other birds assist in the seed dispersal process, allowing seed germination to occur.

Related articles

• Birds’ roles in ecosystems

• Kererū – our native pigeon

• Introducing New Zealand ducks

Related images

• Native birds as pollinators

• Kererū feeding on karaka berry

Related activities

• eBird – citizen science project

• New Zealand Garden Bird Survey – citizen science project