Grey Gerygone
Gerygone igata
Also known as: Gray Gerygone, Grey Warbler, Gray Warbler, New Zealand Gerygone
About This Species
Also known as the grey warbler, this tiny New Zealand bird is easier to hear than see, with a distinctive silvery, descending trill often given from dense canopy. It forages actively and restlessly through foliage for small insects, rarely sitting still, and builds a domed hanging nest in shrubs or low trees. Native forest, scrub and even well-vegetated gardens across much of New Zealand offer good chances of hearing its song, particularly in spring.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Because it is small and constantly moving, patient observation from a stationary position at a comfortable distance works far better than trying to approach closely.
- Native birds are protected under New Zealand wildlife law, including nests and eggs, so avoid handling or closely approaching any nest you find.
- Playback of its call to draw it closer should be used sparingly, if at all, since repeated exposure can disrupt normal breeding behaviour.
LCAvesPasseriformesAcanthizidae
Seasonal Activity
225,826 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Acanthizidae
Photo
(c) Caiden B, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Caiden B
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.