In anticipation of Māori Language Week, the title of my post yesterday included only the ReoMāori name Pāteke. We are all familiar with Tūi, Kākā, Kākāpo, Kea, Kiwi, Kōkako, Pūkeko, Takahē and Weka but many of our common birds go by their European names in conversation.
This week I am posting a bird a day with their Māori name and would encourage you to start using this name in conversation. From an ornithological sense they all have their scientific name to avoid confusion. Some have a number of Māori names (20-30 for Fantail, the most common being Pīwakawaka, Tīwaiwaka and Tīrairaka) which can be confusing but no more than other birds that have a range of common names (Silvereye, Waxeye).
Ngā manu (birds) had an integral place in Māori life with many qualities attributed to them and celebrated with cultural associations. Admired orators and singers are praised by being compared to Kōrimako with their beautiful song. Appreciating these cultural connections can only add to the joy of watching and hearing the little feathered people that share our world.
Jeffery Wells
14 Sep 2020Gorgeous photo of a korimako, Tony – just what’s needed for we Aucklanders who are starved of this beautiful bird. But we do have lots of tui, regular kereru visits, and a resident(?) pair of grey warblers, oops riroriro – I can hear it now! just as it starts raining….
tony
14 Sep 2020Thanks, Jeff. Birds add so much to our lives. Appreciating their cultural significance adds another layer of joy. Riroriro were on my list to include but I ran out of days!