My Fascinating Journey with the Kakapo By Robin Shewokis

o often the debates erupt in avi- best methods of weaning. The knowl- from Stewart Island to Resolution culture surrounding the topic edge of those techniques lies with indi- Island. This capture and move was in of breeding versus not breed- viduals who work breeding birds and response to an increase in predation ing.S Different factions support breed- supporting their conservation and of the Kakapo by non-native mam- ing activities while others are vehe- diversity. mals such as the stoat and other feral mently opposed. Sound reasons may be Many people are now familiar with cats. This was successful for a while, put forth on both sides, but recently I the plight of the Kakapo (Strigops hab- but eventually the invasive mam- was faced with a superior argument on roptilus) after recent YouTube post- mals arrived at Resolution Island and the breeding side. In some cases, spe- ings of a male Kakapo attempting to the population of relocated Kakapo cies need the intervention of conserva- mate with a filmmaker, but fewer know was decimated. Many years later the tion experts in order to survive. The art the story of the great flightless par- remaining birds were relocated and of aviculture isn’t only about breeding rot. The conservation efforts aimed at now the total population of Kakapo birds for the pet trade or producing as the Kakapo began many years ago in in the world is 131 individuals living many birds as possible. Sometimes it is Fiordland, New Zealand when Rich- on predator free Codfish Island. There about hand-feeding techniques or the ard Henry moved hundreds of Kakapo have been three plans put forth since

AFA Watchbird 23 the early attempts by Richard Henry road, so we inquired about airfare next. to help create a successful population A rather steep price deterred us and we of Kakapo in the wild. The most cur- left the DOC office heads hung low and rent plan includes establishing one defeated. As we walked through the cen- population requiring no management ter of Nelson we had what I referred to and two others that would need to as an “Amazing Race” moment when we be managed into the future. The mis- entered a travel agency and asked about sion statement of the Kakapo Recovery airfare to and from Invercargill. The Plan includes a statement that the plan price was a bit lower and for a chance to hopes “to restore the mauri (life force) see a Kakapo, we came up with the cash of Kakapo” and booked the trip…depart Nelson When talking about the Kakapo, crack of dawn, stopover Christchurch, superlatives like “largest” and “only” arrive Invercargill 1:30 a.m. The early get used quite a bit. The Kakapo is the hour didn’t squelch our excitement as we heaviest parrot in the world weigh- headed for the airport, but alas the gods ing in at 2000gm normally and up to didn’t seem to be on our side as we were 4000gm during breeding season. In told that the first flight out wouldn’t addition they have the lowest meta- be until 4:30 a.m. But we resolved that bolic rate of any bird. They are the only nothing would keep us from meet- flightless parrot species, and Kakapos ing this incredible, endangered species. are also nocturnal. After a hellacious day of travel, includ- Robin Shewokis/The author holds a juvenile The breeding habits of the Kakapo Kakapo. ing hours of flight delays both weather also make them distinctly different. and mechanical, we finally arrived at Their breeding rituals are known as lucky to be part of a planned meet- 8:30 p.m. in Invercargill where we were lek-breeding. This term refers to the ing with members of the New Zealand met by Daryl Eason and staff of the competition amongst males for breed- Department of Conservation to discuss DOC for this experience of a lifetime. ing females. They don’t breed each year the Kakapo Recovery Project. Barbara The DOC van pulled up to the airport if the supply of rimu fruit which the Heidenreich, animal trainer, and I trav- and we were driven to an unassuming females feed the chicks isn’t abundant eled to Nelson on New Zealand’s south garage like structure where we changed enough. Males build a bowl in the earth island with increasing excitement as we into clean suits and entered the inner on ridges in the mountainous terrain watched the beautiful scenery pass by. sanctum of Kakapo conservation on the on the island where they sit for two to Our hopes were that we would speak mainland. In a pen filled with natural three months, and try to lure a female with Ron Moorhouse who works on browse and perching were seven Kakapo to the site. The females find the males the project to strategize ways to spread chicks; all foraging and interacting. through a series of vocalizations called the word about the Kakapo and sup- Our initial response was awe, as booms and chings. In a single night port the work of the DOC. To our sur- neither Barbara nor I had ever seen a male Kakapo can boom one thou- prise we were presented with a once in a a Kakapo in person. We watched as sand times! The booms are a low sound lifetime opportunity. the large chicken-like parrots scur- that can be heard for up to 5 km in the Our adventure with the Kakapo had ried around the pen stripping vegeta- mountains. They also build a number of only just begun in Nelson. Ron asked tion from branches. On the floor of the trails going to the bowl, a habit which if we would be interested in traveling pen were little white balls of stripped lends itself to the term track and bowl to Invercargill to see seven chicks that foliage which are a telltale sign that system of breeding. When successful were being hand-reared in preparation Kakapo are present. The chicks were mating has occurred, the females can for re-release on Codfish Island. Our climbing on the branches in what lay clutches of one to four eggs which eyes lit up at the offer and after a har- appeared to be the Kakapo version of are incubated for roughly 30 days. Once rowing evening drive from Picton to the children’s game King of the Hill. the chicks have hatched, the females do Nelson, Barbara and I asked how long Upon closer inspection it was appar- all the foraging and the males have little of a drive it was to Invercargill. The ent that the chicks were simply look- or nothing to do with the chicks. depressing answer was 12 hours. Nei- ing for tasty morsels and honing their On a speaking trip in New Zea- ther of us could have lasted that long climbing skills. Our conversation with land and Australia this past June, I was on a drive on the opposite side of the Daryl was filled with great stories of

24 Volume XXXVIII • Number 3 • 2011 Kakapo adventures on Codfish Island and the challenges facing the species. In New Zealand, habitat destruction isn’t the issue as there is plenty of undevel- oped land. The greatest issue facing the Kakapo is the introduction by man of invasive predatory species. As we stood discussing the future of the Kakapo, we were offered an opportunity that hadn’t even entered our wildest dreams. Daryl asked if we wanted to touch the birds and have a chance to interact. As we picked out chins up off the floor, Daryl explained that their research showed that as long as the chicks were raised in a group they didn’t show signs of bonding with humans. Previous clutches had been hand-fed and housed off Codfish Island and were thriving once re-released. We knelt beside the pen and the chicks cau- tiously approached and began exploring our hands to see if we had something to offer. They began exhibiting typical baby behavior, bobbing their heads in search of food. This behavior reminded me that although they looked very different from all the baby birds I had seen in the past, they were indeed young psit- tacines. This interaction also allowed for closer inspection of the chicks, their Robin Shewokis/Juvenile Kakapos forage between native roots and vegetation. unusual plumage, and their fascinating body shape. At first glance the Kakapo The final treat in our trip to Inver- strengthen my lust for knowledge about appeared to have a mottled green plum- cargill came when Daryl asked if this incredible species and with the help age with feathers like most other psit- we wanted to see how much a chick of the DOC in New Zealand I have tacines. After touching the chicks it weighed. It was getting late and at first been able to learn a great deal more became apparent that their feathers I thought how odd that he would end about the recovery project and the spe- were similar on the majority of their our visit by weighing one of the chicks. cies in general. As any aviculturist can bodies but that they also have whis- I couldn’t have been more wrong as attest, hand-raising birds is a full time ker like feathers on their faces. When I watched him lean into the pen and job but imagine having to hand feed, someone talks about a baby parrot, one pick up one of the chicks which he then wean, and release a bird that is a mem- pictures something quite small and handed to Barbara and then to me. ber of a species that is not only endan- awkward. The Kakapo chicks met the What a thrill holding an endangered gered but is also fairly secretive in it’s criteria of being awkward but size was species and this was a substantial bird! natural habits. The Kakapo require a another story. These chicks were the After years of holding young parrots, diet that is quite low in protein as they size of a chicken or even a bit larger. I was expecting the usual even though are completely herbivorous in the wild. The other significant physical difference these chicks looked so much bigger. Finding a hand-feeding formula that was the shape of the Kakapo’s facial Expectation proven wrong as the meaty met their dietary needs was a challenge. disc. This area looked similar to that of Kakapo perched on my forearm! On the island, adult birds spend the a barn owl. Holding the chick only served to bulk of their days silently foraging on

AFA Watchbird 25 the ground and climbing tress to find conservation efforts. I suggest that if the foods of choice. Weaning of the any readers are looking for a conser- hand-fed chicks was accomplished by vation project to support take time to adding items such as apple, native ber- look into the Kakapo Recovery Project ries, rimu, walnuts, and almonds. As at www.Kakaporecovery.org.nz/. After with any captive reared animal, the diet experiencing their “mauri,” I must say was increased in variety as the birds that I have a passion for the species and were able to try new foods and recog- hope that readers will take some time nize them as a food source. This slow to learn more about this fascinating introduction also helped the chicks oddity; one of New Zealand’s natural develop foraging skills. The release back Robin Shewokis/The profile of the Kakapo highlights the bird's whisker-like facial treasures, the Kakapo. into the wild involves temporary pens feathers. that are equipped with cat doors to Many Thanks allow the chicks access, but not adult discussing our work and ways to help I would like to thank Barbara birds. The pens are placed in the ranges get the word out about the Kakapo. I Heidenreich for igniting my passion of wild Kakapo. Upon release, the have always felt that our zoos and col- for this species and for making the con- chicks are supplied with supplemental lections of birds provide a great educa- tacts that allowed us this great experi- food from bins with lids for approxi- tional foundation for fostering a pas- ence; Ron Moorhouse for offering such mately a year. The chicks do not appear sion for animals and conservation. This a phenomenal opportunity and Daryl to require or seek out the supplemental experience reminded me of how impor- Eason and the staff and volunteers at food after a year’s time. tant that connection is when you have the DOC in Invercargill for staying up After our encounter with the chicks the chance to see or interact with an late to show two bird groupies from the we spent time with Daryl and the staff animal that may need help through U.S. how to grow a Kakapo!

26 Volume XXXVIII • Number 3 • 2011 American Federation of Aviculture, Inc.

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