The Kaka Nestor meridionalis was so common in the middle of the 19th century that it almost reached plague proportions. It is now primarily present in protected native forests, both on the mainland and on islands. It is intelligent and inquisitive.
Photos 7235 to 7301 were taken at the Maungatautari Reserve a protected native forest preserve on the North Island. A flock of seven of them flew into a clearing in the reserve and entertained us for 30 minutes.
Photos 7808 to 7879 were taken at Zoolandia outside of Wellington, another mainland protected reserve. The feeders here, with heavy doors, were designed to allow only the Kaka to feed. However, enterprising Blackbirds often wait until the Kaka feed and then swoop in and join the feast (photo 7815). The bright red breast and abdominal feathers are especially well shone in photos 7808 and 7879.
Photo 2510, showing the white feather on the head, was taken at the Rainbow Springs Nature Park.
The remaining photos were taken at the Otorohanga Kiwi House Zoo.

Videos with the Kaka sounds, taken on Steward Island, are in the MOVIE folder.

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