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Saddleback, Tiritiri Matangi, New Zealand

Maori legend says that the Maori god Maui became angry with the saddleback because he didn’t bring him water when Maui was lassoing the sun to slow it down. Maui grabbed the tieke with his fiery hand and burnt its feathers. From that day the saddleback wore a chestnut-red ‘saddle’.

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Filename: Saddleback 02_4876.jpg
Copyright: Kimball Chen
Image Size: 3450x2300 / 2.5MB; saddleback Philesturnus carunculatus Tieke endemic wattle wattlebird Tiritiri Matangi New Zealand forest bird wildlife Maori legend saddle Maui
Contained in galleries: Showcase of New Zealand Wildlife Photography, Saddleback Pictures - Photos, Conservation & Nature NZ, Birds (mostly from New Zealand)

Maori legend says that the Maori god Maui became angry with the saddleback because he didn’t bring him water when Maui was lassoing the sun to slow it down. Maui grabbed the tieke with his fiery hand and burnt its feathers. From that day the saddleback wore a chestnut-red ‘saddle’.