Kōrero: Large forest birds

Kākā feeding

Kākā feeding

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.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Department of Conservation
Reference: 10055861
Photograph by Greg Lind

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Te tuhi tohutoro mō tēnei whārangi:

Gerard Hutching, 'Large forest birds - Kākā', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/mi/photograph/10584/kaka-feeding (accessed 20 March 2024)

He kōrero nā Gerard Hutching, i tāngia i te 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015, updated 1 Aug 2023