New Zealand was once home to both the North and South Island kokako, easily distinguished by their differing wattle colours; orange in the South Island species and blue in the North. The South Island kokako currently has a conservation status of ‘data deficient’, moving from previously being thought to be extinct, as an accepted sighting was made in 2007 near Reefton (with the last accepted sighting in 1967).

The kokako are known for their haunting melodies – a unique addition to the dawn chorus. Their population has declined due to mammalian predation, and competition for food, particularly by possums. They still survive in sanctuaries and pest management areas, and small numbers in the wild in North Island forests.

Kokako feed mainly on a variety of fruit and leaves. They will however take spiders and insects in the summer, and when they are feeding chicks. When food is plentiful, this can occur twice a year, with two to three chicks hatching per brood.

No matter which island you are in, you can always have a kokako in your garden with a Blazen.Metal kokako bang’n bird – choose from traditional, koru or fern inlay. 25% off for the month of April.

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Bibliography

Dawson, J., & Lucas, R. (2000). Nature Guide to the New Zealand Forest. Auckland: Random House.

Moon, G. (2002). A Photographic Guide to Birds of New Zealand. Auckland: New Holland Publishers.