North Island Kaka
Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis
Distribution:
New Zealand
Habitat:
Native forests
Diet:
Fruits, berries, seeds, flowers, buds, nectar, sap, plants and invertebrates.
Gestation:
Four - seven eggs laid, incubated for 20 days.
Predators:
Introduced mammals
Conservation Status:
Endangered
General:
The kaka is a large parrot belonging to the family that includes the cheeky kea and the extinct Norfolk Island kaka.
The birds are mainly diurnal but are active at night during fine weather or a full moon.
The kaka has greatly declined, in part from habitat loss, and in part because of introduced wasps, possums and bees, which compete with the kaka for the honeydew excreted by scale insects.
At Hamilton Zoo:
We have four permanent North Island Kaka at Hamilton Zoo.
Kennedy and Makere live in the free-flight aviary, and are a breeding pair. Their children each season are passed onto DOC for release into sanctuaries and other safe places.
If you visit during fledging season, you may see some of their babies still in the aviary. Please do leave them be so that they have a better chance at success in the wild once they are released!
Female:
Makere — 1st Jan 2012
Males:
Rata — 28th Oct 2004
Rimu — 28th Oct 2004
Kennedy — 1st Jan 2009