Meet the Yellowhead (Mohua)

Say hello to the yellowhead, or mohua, one of Aotearoa’s small and lively native forest birds. Recognisable by its bright yellow head and breast, olive-brown back, and quick, darting movements, the mohua is often seen flitting through beech forests in noisy, fast-moving groups.

Mohua spend much of their time searching tree trunks and branches for insects and larvae. Their constant calling and busy foraging make them an active presence in the forest canopy. Once widespread across the South Island, mohua are now considered threatened due to introduced predators and habitat pressures, and conservation programmes are working to protect remaining populations.

Handcrafted in Arrowtown by our Cheeky Beaks ceramics team, each yellowhead is individually shaped from white porcelain and carefully glazed to reflect the bird’s small form and distinctive colouring. Subtle variations in the glaze give every piece its own character.

Suitable for both indoor and outdoor display, the yellowhead brings a small reminder of New Zealand’s unique forest life into any space. As with all Cheeky Beaks pieces, each bird is handmade, meaning no two are exactly the same.

Dimensions (mm): 180 h × 120 l × 170 w
Weight: 300 g