Background Tiritiri Matangi homepage    An Island Environment Geology Inner Hauraki Gulf Offshore islands Island sanctuary Marine reserves Tiritiri Matangi marine reserve Hauraki Gulf weather   People and the Environment Lighthouse story Meet DoC's Ray Walter Restoration Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi Visitors Weather recording Weed control Land use   Threatened Species Birds of Tiritiri Matangi Classification systems Bellbird pics Bellbird facts Hihi pics Hihi facts Hihi release Kokako pics Kokako facts Tui pics Tui facts Kereru pics Kiwi pics Penguin pics Takahe pics Takahe or pukeko? Wattle birds NZ honeyeating birds Updated: September 6, 2001

Kokako 10 North Island kokako are living on Tiritiri Matangi   Harriers have been known to eat kokako eggs and chicks Kokako (Callaeas cinerea) are an endemic bird with steel-grey feathers belonging to the Wattlebird family. North Island kokako have fleshy blue wattles on both sides of their necks. The subspecies in the South Island has orange coloured wattles. Early European settlers called the North Island birds, the Blue Wattled crow because of its inquisitiveness (very curious like a crow). Kokako used to be common through out the North Island but today fewer than 500 pairs exist. Kokako are forest birds. They prefer mixed kauri/podocarp forest, although their habitat can include shrub lands. Kokako are poor fliers but have very strong legs to run and leap through the forest. Kokako only use their short rounded wings to glide from ridge tops to valley bottoms in short bursts. They can be seen gliding up to 100m. The distinctive song of kokako - haunting and chime-like - is sung from the treetops at dawn. It is also used in defence of a territory of between 4 and 20 ha per pair of birds. Kokako feed on a rich diversity of foods - fruits, leaves and insects. It adapts its diet as the food sources change through the seasons. Kokako like to eat fruit usually succulent berries. When these are not available they eat leaves and in summer they eat insects. Like parrots, kokako feed by holding the fruit in one claw. The males are slightly larger but it is difficult to tell the sexes apart, with adults weighing around 230g. Kokako form territorial pairs and are together all year. Breeding is from October to March, generally producing 1 to 3 clutches in a season. The female builds a nest 2 - 32m above ground. The South Island kokako may still exist in remote parts of the South Island and Stewart Island but no one is sure.   Parts of a Kokako Features Major Functions External Feathers Water proof Slate - grey/blue Black "mask" over eyes Blue wattles (North Island) Orange wattles (South Island) Camouflage Warmth Wings Slate-grey Gliding down slopes Flying short distances Displays during mating Beak or Bill Black Noisy when eating leaves Feeding on berries, fern fronds, insects and leaves Preening Legs and Feet Black Perching Holding food Bounding, running Hopping from branch to branch Chasing away other birds to defend territory Eggs 1 -3 pinkish grey, speckled brown and mauve 18 days to hatch Nest well hidden 2 - 32m above ground Reproduction Print-friendly version of this page