# tui

/tjˈuːi/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tui
Updated: 2026-05-27

## Definition

a type of large, black-and-white bird with a long tail that lives in New Zealand. It is famous for its loud, musical call and its ability to drink nectar from flowers.

For teachers: a large, black-and-white passerine bird native to New Zealand, known for its distinctive long tail and melodic, repetitive call. It is a member of the family Meliphagidae and is a significant pollinator of native flora.

## Examples

- The tui is one of the most common birds in the New Zealand forest.
- While hiking through the native bush, we heard the loud, musical call of a tui echoing through the trees.
- The tui plays a vital ecological role as a primary pollinator, visiting hundreds of flowers daily to feed on nectar and inadvertently transferring pollen between plants.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.