Kākā

Nestor meridionalis

Threatened - Nationally Vulnerable

Bold, noisy and full of personality, the kākā is a charismatic native forest parrot found in pockets of Aotearoa’s wild bush. A close cousin of the alpine kea, kākā are highly intelligent and social, known for their raucous calls and acrobatic tree-top antics. Because of their cheeky, sometimes mischievous behaviour, they’ve been affectionately dubbed the “bush bogans” – particularly in Wellington where the hard work of our friends at Predator Free Wellington have enabled increased safe spaces for them to become more widespread in urban areas. In the South Island, they’re most often found in mature beech forests, where they feast on nectar, seeds and insects hidden beneath the bark.

Quick Facts:

• Kākā have powerful beaks for tearing into bark and native wood to find insects and sap.
• Their distinctive call, a mix of squawks, whistles and warbles, can carry for kilometres through the forest.
• They’re early risers: kākā are often heard at dawn and dusk, especially in summer.
• One of the few native species that rely on old trees for nesting – making mature forest protection crucial.

Bringing kākā back means restoring native forests and controlling predators – so future generations can enjoy the wild chorus of this clever, cheeky forest dweller.

---

Back to: Biodiversity | Birds