Story: Large forest birds
Kākā eat a variety of foods. Equipped with a bristle-fringed tongue, they relish nectar and are drawn to the red flowers of rātā and pōhutukawa. This kākā is feeding on nectar from the introduced Chilean fire bush, on Stewart Island. Plant foods include forest fruits and seeds. They also eat invertebrates – particularly grubs found under bark, which they rip off with their strong beaks. This also gives them access to the tree’s sap.
About this item
Department of Conservation
Reference: 10055861
Photograph by Greg Lind
This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.