New Zealand Bird Song Clock New Zealand Bird Song Clock
This New Zealand Bird Song Clock is one of our most favourite items in the showroom. Listening to native New Zealand bird song each hour is an absolute delight.
A different bird sounds on the hour. The birdsong only sounds when there is daylight or high artificial light bulbs.
The clock runs off 3 x AA batteries (not included), and is approximately 31.5cm (12 3/8") in diameter, so a good size.
The bird song you will hear is:
Saddleback/Tieke - a glossy black bird with a brown saddle and orange wattles. It is a relative of the Kokako and the extinct Huia. Not well known and rarely heard because of limited distribution. But you will see lots of them on Tiritiri Matangi Island. The chattering loud call is made by both sexes.
Fantail/ Piwakawaka - This well known little bird is common in the bush and has adjusted to urban environments. The fantail shows little fear of humans often following walkers, harvesting disturbed flying insects. Fantails build beautifully woven nests of fine grasses, moss, cobwebs, even hair.
Kokako - This moderately large, long legged bird is grey feathered and blue wattled in the North Island; orange wattled in the South Island. Kokako are weak flyers, being more hoppers, climbers and gliders. Often located by its loud call. A rich variety of organ-like notes are melodically interwoven.
Robin/ Toutoutwai - this small insect eating bird lives in native bush, scrub and exotic forests, often feeding on the forest floor. The NZ Robins are related to Fantails and Tomtits. The Robins song is clear, melodic and strong. Although not common, the birds are fearless of humans.
Bellbird/ Koromako - this olive green bird is smaller than a Tui, which its singing resembles. Like the Tui, it is a nectar eater. It is an energetic early morning singer, often singing in the rain. In times past, hundreds of birds would chime in unison during the dawn chorus. The call has an organ like quality and can be very melodic. Bellbirds are increasing in numbers in areas that are being revegetated with native plants and nectar producing exotics.
Grey Warbler/ Riroriri - a small inconspicuous bird often noticed by its pleasant song. The grey warbler has adapted to human environments so is widespread. The nest is pear shaped with an entrance on the top side. Grye Warblers have a recognisable long repetitive trill using few notes and ending abruptly.
Tui/ Parson bird - perhaps New Zealand's best known song bird. The feathers may appear black or reflect metallic and iridescent greens, purples and blues. Tuis have a tuft of white feathers on their throats, looking like a parson's collar. They are noisy fliers and occasionally perform acrobatic flight, darting about at high speed and plunging with closed wings. They seek nectar in native and exotic plants. They sing a gorgeous, wide repertoire of chimes, musical rifts, wheezes and other sounds, some of which are pitched in a frequency beyond human hearing.
Kiwi - New Zealand's iconic flightless bird. Kiwi have strong feathers, facial bristles, strong legs, and a well developed sense of smell via nostrils at the end of their long bills. Noteworthy for their huge eggs which can weigh up to 25% of the adult birds weight. Kiwi are secretive, nocturnal, rarely seen, but often heard. Their call is a low pitched two syllable whistle - Ki-wi .Sadly their population is declining but there are regional success stories such as here on the Tutukaka Coast, where groups take responsibility for pest eradication and protection of kiwi populations.
Morepork/ Ruru - A small owl with silent flight. The morepork hunts mostly for a variety of insects and spiders, lizards, small birds, and vermin. The Morepork claims its territory with the loud two syllable call that gives it its name, heard at night.
Stitchbird/ Hihi - stitchbirds only survive in sanctuaries. These fast moving birds are brush tongued nectar eaters, like the bellbird and tui. Their diet also includes insects and berries. Their unusual call is a sharp clicking sound.
Red billed gull/ Tarapunga - these gulls are found along our coastline and in some inland waterways.
Shining Cuckoo/ Pipiwharauroa - this small cuckoo has a banded chest and a metallic glinting topside. This migratory visitor probably led Polynesians to New Zealand. The spring arrival of Pipiwharauroa heralds kumera planting time. The Shining Cuckoo has a distinctive call. The first dozen or so notes are like a dog whistle that sounds to be getting closer, then a few downward sliding notes.
Shipped worldwide.
Feedback from a customer (9/5/19:)
Just to let you know that the clock arrived yesterday: in perfect condition, thanks to your excellent packaging. We are delighted with it: it looks great and the authentic birdcalls are delightful!
Glynis, NZ
Covid continues to impact our shipping times, so this is a guide only. We do not accept any responsibility for how long shippers take to deliver, as it is beyond our control. These are approximate timelines for how long parcels take to get to their destinations currently.
| Country | Airmail | Tracked Airmail | Economy Courier | Express Courier |
| Australia - ACT, VIC, QLD, NSW | up to 5 weeks | 3-4 weeks | 2 weeks | 7 days (faster to major metro areas) |
| Australia - SA, WA, NT, TAS | 5-6 weeks | 4-5 weeks | 3 weeks | 10 days |
| USA and UK | 4 weeks | 2-3 weeks | 10 days |
7 days |
| Europe and Asia | 6-7 weeks | 4 weeks | 3 weeks | 10 days |
| South America | Minimum 3 months | Minimum 3 months | 4-5 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Rest of World | Variable | Variable | 3-5 weeks |
2 weeks |
| New Zealand | up to a week (only used for items sent in an envelope - iron on patches and cords without toggles) | Courier: North Island overnight, South Island 1-2 days Rural: add a day |
|
Shipping Types
International
Airmail
Standard Airmail shipping around the world. Not insured or tracked. If an airmail parcel goes missing we will do our best to work with shippers to find it, but shipping this way is at your own risk. The likelihood of an airmail parcel going missing is very low.
Tracked Airmail
Airmail shipping around the world, with the added bonus of basic tracking (shipped, arrival in destination country, delivery). Not insured. Shipping this way is at your own risk - there is no compensation if the parcel goes missing. However the likelihood of a tracked parcel going missing is very low.
Economy Courier
Priority shipping around the world, delivered by your local postal authority. Can ship to a PO Box. Insured and comprehensive tracking.
Express Courier
The fastest courier option, using couriers including DHL, Fedex and TNT. Insured and comprehensive tracking. Cannot be used to deliver to PO Boxes, and must be signed for.
New Zealand
Courier within New Zealand
We use both Courierpost and NZ Couriers.
Airmail - only used for items sold with shipping included, mostly plain cords and iron on patches. Shipped using NZ Post.
Pick Up From Store
Only available for those who can pick up from Whangarei within 24-48 hours after the order has been prepared. We will contact you when your order is ready to be picked up. Pick up hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and the address is 12 Pahau Ave, Tikipunga, Whangarei. Come down right hand side of building to first door.
Order Processing Times
Allow 1 business day for an order to be processed, and 1 business day for packing. If an item has temporarily gone out of stock, re-stocking most often takes 2 days but can be up to 2 weeks. We will contact you regarding any major delays.
We ship from Whangarei, New Zealand. When you place your order online, an email confirmation is sent to you. If you cannot see it in your inbox, please check your spam or junk folders, in case your email provider has inadvertently put it there. Please check your confirmation email carefully to make sure you have correctly entered your address and that of the recipient (if you are sending elsewhere). We do not accept any responsibility for errors in the address. If a parcel is returned, we will re-ship if you pay the shipping charge again, or refund you for the goods (only).
You will receive a notification when we ship, which in most cases will include tracking information.
Taxes
Your international order (anything shipped outside New Zealand) may be subject to import duties and taxes, including VAT, which are incurred once your shipment reaches your destination country. ShopNZ is not responsible for these charges if they are applied, and are your responsibility as the customer.
For the UK and Europe, we are gradually being forced to collect VAT on small shipments before shipping, which will means nothing needs to be paid at your end. Your order will show if we have collected VAT on your behalf.
Covid continues to impact our shipping times, so this is a guide only. We do not accept any responsibility for how long shippers take to deliver, as it is beyond our control. These are approximate timelines for how long parcels take to get to their destinations currently.
| Country | Airmail | Tracked Airmail | Economy Courier | Express Courier |
| Australia - ACT, VIC, QLD, NSW | up to 5 weeks | 3-4 weeks | 2 weeks | 7 days (faster to major metro areas) |
| Australia - SA, WA, NT, TAS | 5-6 weeks | 4-5 weeks | 3 weeks | 10 days |
| USA and UK | 4 weeks | 2-3 weeks | 10 days |
7 days |
| Europe and Asia | 6-7 weeks | 4 weeks | 3 weeks | 10 days |
| South America | Minimum 3 months | Minimum 3 months | 4-5 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Rest of World | Variable | Variable | 3-5 weeks |
2 weeks |
| New Zealand | up to a week (only used for items sent in an envelope - iron on patches and cords without toggles) | Courier: North Island overnight, South Island 1-2 days Rural: add a day |
|
Shipping Types
International
Airmail
Standard Airmail shipping around the world. Not insured or tracked. If an airmail parcel goes missing we will do our best to work with shippers to find it, but shipping this way is at your own risk. The likelihood of an airmail parcel going missing is very low.
Tracked Airmail
Airmail shipping around the world, with the added bonus of basic tracking (shipped, arrival in destination country, delivery). Not insured. Shipping this way is at your own risk - there is no compensation if the parcel goes missing. However the likelihood of a tracked parcel going missing is very low.
Economy Courier
Priority shipping around the world, delivered by your local postal authority. Can ship to a PO Box. Insured and comprehensive tracking.
Express Courier
The fastest courier option, using couriers including DHL, Fedex and TNT. Insured and comprehensive tracking. Cannot be used to deliver to PO Boxes, and must be signed for.
New Zealand
Courier within New Zealand
We use both Courierpost and NZ Couriers.
Airmail - only used for items sold with shipping included, mostly plain cords and iron on patches. Shipped using NZ Post.
Pick Up From Store
Only available for those who can pick up from Whangarei within 24-48 hours after the order has been prepared. We will contact you when your order is ready to be picked up. Pick up hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and the address is 12 Pahau Ave, Tikipunga, Whangarei. Come down right hand side of building to first door.
Order Processing Times
Allow 1 business day for an order to be processed, and 1 business day for packing. If an item has temporarily gone out of stock, re-stocking most often takes 2 days but can be up to 2 weeks. We will contact you regarding any major delays.
We ship from Whangarei, New Zealand. When you place your order online, an email confirmation is sent to you. If you cannot see it in your inbox, please check your spam or junk folders, in case your email provider has inadvertently put it there. Please check your confirmation email carefully to make sure you have correctly entered your address and that of the recipient (if you are sending elsewhere). We do not accept any responsibility for errors in the address. If a parcel is returned, we will re-ship if you pay the shipping charge again, or refund you for the goods (only).
You will receive a notification when we ship, which in most cases will include tracking information.
Taxes
Your international order (anything shipped outside New Zealand) may be subject to import duties and taxes, including VAT, which are incurred once your shipment reaches your destination country. ShopNZ is not responsible for these charges if they are applied, and are your responsibility as the customer.
For the UK and Europe, we are gradually being forced to collect VAT on small shipments before shipping, which will means nothing needs to be paid at your end. Your order will show if we have collected VAT on your behalf.
