Kaka

(Nestor meridionalis)
Also known as brown parrot, bush parrot.

Live: Low to moderate numbers in forests of Mamaku Plateau, north-west and western Lake Taupo and Urewera region. Rare elsewhere.  Moderate numbers on Great Barrier, Little Barrier, Mayor and Kapiti Islands.

Habitat: Low to mid-altitude unbroken native forests of beech or podocarp mixed with hardwood.  Threatened by habitat destruction and predation by introduced mammals.

Diet: In the wild, insects and their larvae especially wood-boring beetles, seeds, leaves and fruit. Kaka have a brush tongue which they use to extract nectar from flowers.
At the Zoo, seed mix, nectar mix, fruit and vegetables, and browse branches daily. Enclosure is cleaned daily.

Gestation: September - March.
Nest: usually in hollow trees preferably on warm, north-facing slopes. The entrance hole is often high above ground with the nest some distance below the hole, and lined with wood dust and wood chips.
Eggs: up to 5 ovoid, smooth and white. The female incubates them for around 24 days, leaving the nest only briefly.

Status: Endemic, threatened and protected.

General: Size to 45cm. General colouration is brown.
Distinguishing features include the vivid orange-red feathers under the wings, visible when flying.
Similar to the Kea but browner and slightly smaller. Males may be brighter than females, with a longer and more curved beak. Dark yellow eyes. Brown-grey beak. Dark brown to black legs.

Calls: Include loud, harsh grating cries, high-pitched wails and melodious whistles. Heard more often than seen.

Habits: Kaka are more active at dawn and dusk. They will flock noisily amongst the tops of trees to feed and play. Kaka will jump rather than walk. They fly low and fast through bush, very high when travelling long distances. 

Chicks: Grey down, black upper beak, yellow nostrils. Chicks are fed by both parents. They remain in the nest for 9-12 weeks and fledge by 9-12 weeks, when the male takes over most of their care.

The Maori used to kill Kaka for their feathers and as a source of food. They would use a tame Kaka as a decoy for wild birds when they came to feed.