North Island Kokako

Belonging to the wattlebird family, an ancient group of birds, North Island kōkako have bright blue wattles at the base of the bill. Their plumage is mainly grey with a bluish tinge, they have long black legs, short rounded wings, a long tail, and a black facial mask. The juveniles are have pink wattles which slowly turn to lilac, then blue as they mature. The South Island sub-species, officially regarded as extinct, had orange wattles.

Because their wings are short relative to their body size, kōkako are poor fliers, preferring to move through the forest by bounding from tree to tree on their strong legs. They will fly short distances and often glide from the tree tops down to the lower branches or forest floor, but their wings are too weak for them to fly upwards.

They form life-long pairs and seldom stray from their permanent territories, preferring tall, mixed podocarp and hardwood forests with a high diversity of plant species. They feed on leaves all year round at all levels of the forest; they also eat fruits when available and invertebrates during summer and autumn, especially when feeding chicks. During the weeks prior to nesting, the male frequently feeds the female (see photo below).

The kōkako is notable for its haunting, mournful organ- or flute-like calls, often heard shortly after dawn. Other calls include a range of soft clucks and cat-like mewing notes.

Three kōkako (2 males and 1 female) were released on Tiritiri Matangi in 1997, followed by four more male birds in 1998. Of the original three birds, one male was predated immediately after release, but the remaining pair has lived in Wattle Valley for many years and raised over 20 chicks, most of which have been removed from the Island to other areas.

Photography by: Alex Mitchell © (top right) and Kay Milton © (bottom left)

References: Heather, B.D.; Robertson, H.A. 2000 The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. Auckland, Viking.