The North Island saddleback or tieke, Philesturnus rufusater, is an endemic New Zealand bird. Saddlebacks inhabit the middle or lower layers of the forest, and eat small invertebrates found on the forest floor, as well as a variety of fruits and nectars.
Saddlebacks only fly short distances and mainly leap between low branches. They usually nest near the ground, and their fledglings will leave the nest to hop around on the ground while they build up strength in their wings. Individuals can start reproducing from one year of age and can live up to 17 years. They are monogamous and each pair defends a territory all year round. In predator-free conditions, one pair can produce two or three clutches of eggs, each with two or three young, in a breeding season.