Kākā leaving a nest hole

Kākā leaving a nest hole

Kākā make their nests inside tree holes, found only in mature and decaying trees such as this pūriri on Hen Island. Because of this, kākā are restricted to old-growth forest. Birds that nest in tree holes are more vulnerable to predators, which can reach trunks more easily than outer branches. Holes usually have just one exit, which can prevent even an adult bird from escaping a stoat.