Adult male (top), juvenile female (middle), adult male with heavy parasite load (bottom). Named for their strident calls sounding like the word "stitch," these rare endemic birds have a complex polygynous social structure and are the only birds known to copulate face-to-face. Listed as vulnerable by IUCN, this species was on the verge of extinction with the last remnant population on Little Barrier Island. Birds from Little Barrier were transplanted to a number of other predator free islands where they are breeding successfully. At Tiritiri Matangi 40 birds were introduced in 1995 and 13 more in 1996. Currently 150 individuals are on the island where they are maintained by parasite control, nest box and feeding programs. All the individuals we saw wore colored bands as seen here. None of the introduced populations is considered to be self-sustaining.
Two subspecies are usually recognized, but the nominate race became extinct around 1885. It differed from current population by larger size and paler yellow color. However, the differences are slight and N. c. hautura is considered invalid by HBW and most New Zealand authorities. Formerly included in the Honeyeater family (Meliphagidae), the Stitchbird is now recognized as the sole member of its own New Zealand endemic family, Notiomystidae most closely related to New Zealand Wattlebirds (Callaeidae). Canon PowerShot SX50 HS.
References:
BirdLife International. 2016. Notiomystis cincta. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22704154A93955122. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22704154A93955122.en. Downloaded on 12 March 2017.
Driskell, A.L. Christidis, B.J. Gill, W.E. Boles, F.K. Barker, and N.W. Longmore. 2007. A new endemic family of New Zealand passerine birds: adding heat to a biodiversity hotspot. Australian Journal of Zoology 55(7): 73-78. [PDF]
Higgins, P., Christidis, L. & de Juana, E. (2017). Stitchbird (Notiomystis cincta). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/62335 on 12 March 2017).
Higgins, P.J.; Peter, J.M.; Steele, W.K. (eds) 2001. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds. Vol. 5, tyrant-flycatchers to chats. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
Castro, I. 2013. Stitchbird. In Miskelly, C.M. (ed.) New Zealand Birds Online. www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz