'Whistle of the Whio' Fine Art Original

This commission was created for Retaruke Country Estate where they actively monitor Whio that surround this lodge, trapping and taking measure to protect this native specie. This work will be for sale on the walls of Retaruke, however online interest will be accepted.

600 x 510 mm

Ink on Paper

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"Whistle of the Whio" is a piece of art that celebrates the beauty and serenity of New Zealand's native Blue Ducks, known as "whio" in Maori. This artwork depicts a scene where two adult Blue Ducks, along with their chick, in the midst of the awa, tumultuous, fast-flowing river.

Whio translates to Whistle in Te Reo Māori

Whio, one of New Zealand's rarest birds and featured on the $10 note, thrive in environments that would challenge most ducks – fast-flowing rivers. They are predominantly found in Te Urewera, Central North Island, Fiordland, the West Coast, and northern South Island.

What sets the Whio apart? First, their natural camouflage - their blue/grey coloring, which gives them their name, helps them seamlessly blend into their surroundings. Their unique bills feature a fleshy lip on the end, providing protection during foraging. These birds also boast large webbed feet for navigating the rapids, a skill even newly hatched ducklings possess. Their forward-facing yellow eyes, similar to humans, allow them to keenly observe their surroundings. In terms of size, males weigh in at around 1000-1300 grams, while females are slightly lighter at 800-1000 grams.

Distinctive in both call and character, males emit the unmistakable 'fee-o, fee-o' call, while females produce a rattly growling noise. Whio are truly remarkable birds, thriving in some of New Zealand's most challenging and beautiful habitats."