The New Zealand Kākā (Nestor meridionalis) or just Kākā is large forest dwelling parrot that is endemic to New Zealand. It can be found on North, South and Stewart Island, where it lives in native forests, predator free islands and a number of newly established predator-free sanctuaries.
An example of the predator-free sanctuaries is Zealandia in Wellington. This sanctuary is based around an old reservoir that once provided drinking water to the city of Wellington. It is now ring-fenced with a predator-proof fence and the area inside the fence is being regenerated as native forest. The Kākā in this sanctuary are free flying - and are in fact colonising the surrounding areas outside of the sanctuary.
Most of the pictures here are actually of fully wild birds from South and Stewart Island.
The Kākā is about 45 cm (18 in) in length and weighs between 390 to 560 g (14 to 20 oz). The Kākā nests from October to June in cavities in hollow trees, and produces 4 eggs, which normally leads to the fledging of just two young parrots.
Like most (maybe all?) parrots this species is intelligent, and great fun to watch.
As ever, to join in with WBW click on the link below. Hope all is well. SM
What an interesting ancient seeming bird. Thank you Stewart. Aloha
ReplyDeleteIt has amazing colouring on the underside and around the face. A beauty.
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