North Island Kokako

Kōkako is a large blue-grey North Island songbird with a black mask and rich blue throat wattles. Pairs sing slow, resonant notes in duets from high forest perches. Adults have a blue-grey body, black facial mask, blue wattles, strong legs and a long downcurved tail; juveniles have pink or lilac wattles. Tūī are smaller and darker, fly more strongly and have white throat tufts instead of blue wattles.

Natural remnants persist from the King Country and central North Island to Te Urewera, Bay of Plenty, South Auckland and Northland. Managed or translocated populations include Pureora, Tiritiri Matangi, Hauturu/Little Barrier, Kāpiti, Maungatautari, Pirongia and Zealandia. Kōkako bound and run along branches, then glide short distances on rounded wings. Pairs defend territories year-round with song and breed from November to February when food and predator control permit.

Kōkako is Threatened — Nationally Increasing (NZ Threat Classification). Ship rats and possums are the main nest predators, and every surviving mainland population depends on sustained control of introduced mammals. Pureora Forest, Tiritiri Matangi, Maungatautari and Kāpiti Island are established viewing sites. Early morning is best for hearing the far-carrying duet before locating birds in the canopy.