Love-sick tomtit risks all to fly home

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Distance proved no obstacle for an intrepid New Zealand tomtit, which apparently dodged predators and braved open seas to fly more than 60 km (37 miles) back to his lady-love.


The tiny black and white bird, tagged with the initials "RG", stunned conservation staff when he re-appeared in the North Island's Hunua Ranges, two months after he was transferred 63 km away to an island wildlife sanctuary, north of Auckland.


"They weren't able to catch his mate and so they took the male tomtit and left his mate behind and he decided 'Bugger that, I'm going home', so he did," said Department of Conservation staff member Warwick Murray.


"We don't have any record of such little birds travelling such great distances, particularly over water, like that."


Smaller than a sparrow, the protected North Island tomtit will be rewarded for his fidelity by being allowed to stay with his beloved in his original home.


"Apparently he's quite chipper," Murray said.