Listen to the Kākā
Recording by James Lidster · xeno-canto XC526606
Kākā
Māori name: Kākā
Scientific name: Nestor meridionalis
Recovering
The kākā is a large, charismatic forest parrot with olive-brown plumage and flashes of crimson under its wings. Loud, intelligent, and playful, kākā were once common throughout New Zealand but have been pushed to the brink by predators and habitat loss. Hearing a kākā in the Coromandel is increasingly possible thanks to predator control — and is always a thrilling moment.
Did you know?
Kākā have a prehensile tongue used to extract nectar and sap, and strong enough beaks to tear apart wood to find grubs. They are considered one of the most intelligent birds in New Zealand.
Threats
Stoats are devastating to kākā — they are agile enough to follow kākā into nest cavities and kill incubating females. Possums also compete for nesting hollows and food.