Many people will have heard of the kea, a large parrot found in the South Island of Aotearoa / New Zealand, often described as the world’s only mountain parrot. Then there’s the kākāpō, the world’s only flightless parrot, which had the misfortune of becoming an Internet meme following a memorable appearance by a bird named Sirocco on the BBC television series Last Chance to See.

Less well-known is the third member of the family, the kākā (Nestor meridionalis), which was once widespread across the country but is now considered endangered. The Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne nature sanctuary released a number of kākā pairs into their protected area, and they are now well established as a breeding population. In fact, residents of suburbs near the sanctuary regularly report seeing kākā foraging in their gardens – something that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago.

Kākā at Zealandia (with another kākā in the background).

Kākā on feeder at Zealandia.

Two kākā on feeder at Zealandia.

Kākā at Zealandia.