Kaka
Forest parrot
Birds: kaka
Birdman Hugh Robertson is on the trail of the kaka, one of New Zealand's three species of parrot. Audio
Kākā
“Often in the bright sunshine, scores may be observed, with loud screams and chatter, flying and circling about, and, high above the outskirts of the bush, apparently bent on enjoying some short… Audio
More about kākā on Radio New Zealand
Kaka monitors at the Zealandia
From August till February, in her spare time, Arts on Sunday presenter Lynn Freeman is part of a hardy bunch of kaka monitors at the Zealandia sanctuary in Wellington. Audio
The kaka survey at the Zealandia sanctuary in Wellington
Lynn Freeman monitors the feeding habits of the kaka. Audio
Urban Kaka
Since six kaka were reintroduced to Zealandia in central Wellington in 2002, their numbers – boosted by some more reintroductions – have climbed to around 200, although they’re hard to count as they fly freely in and out of the fenced sanctuary. These large native forest parrots have become a common sight around the central city, frequenting parks, the botanic gardens, the town belt and suburban gardens. The bird pictured at left is an adult male North Island kaka (image © Albert Aanensen from NZ Birds Online)
Their habit of stripping bark to get at sap has been causing damage to some large trees such as eucalypts and macrocarpas, and Wellington Botanic Gardens staff have had to remove some dying branches to prevent them falling. The kaka also feed on seeds and cones on old pine trees.
Victoria University of Wellington master’s student Kerry Charles looked at the impact of these urban kaka on city trees, documenting damage, observing kaka feeding and trying to work out which birds were doing the sap feeding and what kind of trees they favoured. She tells Alison Ballance that she made 40 observations of birds sap feeding, and found that birds of both sexes and all ages were involved, including birds that were also regularly easting supplementary food at Zealandia. They favoured exotic trees in prominent positions on ridge tops. Kerry’s advice to Wellington City Council has been to consider a phased-in replacement of exotic trees with natives.
Kaka Reek Havoc on Nesting Boxes
Teenage Kaka parrots have been doing a lot of damage at the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary. Audio
Bad kaka
Don't feed the kaka! Thats the message from conservationists in Karori who want their neighbours to stop leaving out treats for the birds. Audio
Mr and Mrs Roto
A pair of kaka called Mr and Mrs Roto have been allowed to return to the wild after many years. Mrs Roto has been captive for 27 years with the Orokunui Eco Sanctuary. Audio
1080 poison does wonders for a kaka population in Fiordland
A record breeding season means there's a good chance an endangered kaka population in Fiordland can be brought back from the brink - and the Department of Conservation says it's thanks to the 1080… Audio
First wild kaka born in a century in Wellington
A nest of kaka chicks has been spotted on the edge of Prince of Wales Park in Wellington. Wellington City Council's manager of reserves is Myfanwy Emeny talks about the discovery. Audio
Are getting people fed up with the kaka?
There are so many kaka flying around Wellington they are in danger of killing off the trees they're gnawing on. Audio
