Wednesday 1 January 2014

The Kaka

We got to meet this amusing and highly intelligent bird on our trip to Kapiti Island.  



This large New Zealand parrot has a reputation for solving problems - like how to get into your back pack.  They arrive out of the bush and start working on the zips.  It is amazing to watch how fast they can get them open and grab what's inside.



The North Island Kaka is approx 45cm long (almost 18in) and weighs about 475g.  Their South Island cousin is a bit bigger.



They eat berries, seeds, nectar, grubs and tourists belongings.  A very resourceful bird.



They are very entertaining to watch and are not afraid to land on hats, bags or shoulders.
  

The Kaka's are doing well on Kapiti Island as it is a nature reserve and all predators have been removed.


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15 comments:

  1. I love these guys! I have heard a lot about them but haven't seen one yet. Hopefully next year. Great shots.

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  2. Funny, what a smart bird! Great shots!! Happy New Years to you and your family!

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  3. wonderfull colored bird!
    。❊ * 。❊ 。 ❊ _█_ ❊ 。 * ❊
    _Π_____ (•.•) * 5☆★☆★☆
    ❊ /______/~\ ( ♥ ) ❊ 2014 Happy Day ❊
    |田 田 |門| ( ♥ ) Happy New Year❊
    •♫♥♫*♥*♪♥♫•♪*♥♫•♫♥♫*♥*♪♥♫•♪*♥•♫♥♫*♥*♪
    http://blog.seniorennet.be/louisette

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  4. what a charmer he is! quite beautiful, too. :)

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  5. A very interesting bird, learned a new bird today and he is beautiful to look at.

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  6. A very beautiful bird. Happy New Year.

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  7. That's a handsome bird, and very friendly! Terrific shots!

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  8. HI Jo I have never heard or seen of this bird so this was very interesting for me. It certainly is big and intelligent. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU.

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  9. Lovely post, and what a smart bird

    Happy 2014

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  10. Awesome post!
    Happy New Year to you!

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  11. Cool and intelligent birds, a Happy New Year.

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  12. They certainly are cheeky little blighters Jocee. I know the tour bus operators are awake to them, apparently they love anything rubber including windscreen wipers. My brother-in- law also had his fishing rods attacked on the roof of his car. Happy New Year.

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  13. Wonderful photos of this interesting bird! Happy New Year Jocee!

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  14. That is one parrot I will love to see with my own eyes one day!
    And one of the rare ones I didn't have in my african bird park!
    I enjoyed this post tremendously!

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