Andrew Digby
@digs.bsky.social
Conservation biologist and former astrophysicist. Scientist for threatened birds with the #kakapo and #takahe programmes at the New Zealand Department of Conservation. 🦣 [email protected]. Avatar: @blackmudpuppy.bsky.social
Bumped into 27 year old male #kakapo Sinbad today. He's of Fiordland descent so has important genetics, but he hasn't been a very successful breeder so far - probably because he's partially imprinted. He's in great condition this year. #conservation #parrots #birds
January 15, 2026 at 9:46 AM
Bumped into 27 year old male #kakapo Sinbad today. He's of Fiordland descent so has important genetics, but he hasn't been a very successful breeder so far - probably because he's partially imprinted. He's in great condition this year. #conservation #parrots #birds
#kakapo mating and fridge update: last night Rakiura + Komaru on Whenua Hou, and Yasmine + Ariki and Stella + Horton on Anchor. Two more matings the night before too, and something might be happening on Te Kākahu... #conservation #parrots
January 15, 2026 at 9:41 AM
#kakapo mating and fridge update: last night Rakiura + Komaru on Whenua Hou, and Yasmine + Ariki and Stella + Horton on Anchor. Two more matings the night before too, and something might be happening on Te Kākahu... #conservation #parrots
More #kakapo matings: Heather and Bluster-Murphy on Whenua Hou yesterday morning, and Kuia and Tamahou on Anchor this morning. Here's Kuia on her nest in 2019. She's of Fiordland descent, so has valuable genetics. #conservation #parrots #birds
January 13, 2026 at 8:42 AM
More #kakapo matings: Heather and Bluster-Murphy on Whenua Hou yesterday morning, and Kuia and Tamahou on Anchor this morning. Here's Kuia on her nest in 2019. She's of Fiordland descent, so has valuable genetics. #conservation #parrots #birds
More #kakapo matings! Three nights ago Huhu (pictured) and Hondy mated on Whenua Hou, and last night Anchor mating started, with Hine Taumai and Henry. #conservation #parrots #birds #kakapo2026
January 10, 2026 at 8:13 AM
More #kakapo matings! Three nights ago Huhu (pictured) and Hondy mated on Whenua Hou, and last night Anchor mating started, with Hine Taumai and Henry. #conservation #parrots #birds #kakapo2026
For our first and only artificial insemination of the #kakapo breeding season, we matched Pearl with Ralph (a founder who has no offspring) and Hurihuri - who was in excellent condition. #conservation #parrots #birds
January 9, 2026 at 7:06 AM
For our first and only artificial insemination of the #kakapo breeding season, we matched Pearl with Ralph (a founder who has no offspring) and Hurihuri - who was in excellent condition. #conservation #parrots #birds
A #kakapo "track and bowl" system. The males dig a series of shallow hollows ("bowls") connected by tracks which they clear of vegetation. They display to females from a collection of these sites (a "lek") by calling, "booming" and "chinging" all night long. #conservation #parrots #birds
January 8, 2026 at 7:57 AM
A #kakapo "track and bowl" system. The males dig a series of shallow hollows ("bowls") connected by tracks which they clear of vegetation. They display to females from a collection of these sites (a "lek") by calling, "booming" and "chinging" all night long. #conservation #parrots #birds
Yesterday we started #kakapo artificial insemination for the season. We do this to help maintain genetic diversity, with a potential additional benefit of improving fertility. We inseminated Esperance, who mated naturally a few nights ago. #conservation #parrots #birds
January 8, 2026 at 5:21 AM
Yesterday we started #kakapo artificial insemination for the season. We do this to help maintain genetic diversity, with a potential additional benefit of improving fertility. We inseminated Esperance, who mated naturally a few nights ago. #conservation #parrots #birds
It's started! The 2026 #kakapo breeding season is under way, with the first nest found on Whenua Hou today. Pearl is on two eggs. #conservation #parrots #birds
January 8, 2026 at 2:30 AM
It's started! The 2026 #kakapo breeding season is under way, with the first nest found on Whenua Hou today. Pearl is on two eggs. #conservation #parrots #birds
#kakapo breeding seasons are always roller coasters.
☹️ Young male Tau Kuhurangi has died on Pukenui, likely from a wing injury. Population is now 236.
🙂 Second mating of the year: Esperance (pic) and Ian. #conservation #parrots #birds
☹️ Young male Tau Kuhurangi has died on Pukenui, likely from a wing injury. Population is now 236.
🙂 Second mating of the year: Esperance (pic) and Ian. #conservation #parrots #birds
January 6, 2026 at 3:36 AM
#kakapo breeding seasons are always roller coasters.
☹️ Young male Tau Kuhurangi has died on Pukenui, likely from a wing injury. Population is now 236.
🙂 Second mating of the year: Esperance (pic) and Ian. #conservation #parrots #birds
☹️ Young male Tau Kuhurangi has died on Pukenui, likely from a wing injury. Population is now 236.
🙂 Second mating of the year: Esperance (pic) and Ian. #conservation #parrots #birds
First mating of the 2026 #kakapo breeding season! True to form, it was Pearl and Boss on Whenua Hou, who mated on the night of 28th Dec. They were also the first two to mate in the last two breeding seasons. We're expecting a bumper year, so follow for updates! #conservation #parrots
December 31, 2025 at 8:56 AM
First mating of the 2026 #kakapo breeding season! True to form, it was Pearl and Boss on Whenua Hou, who mated on the night of 28th Dec. They were also the first two to mate in the last two breeding seasons. We're expecting a bumper year, so follow for updates! #conservation #parrots
Celebrating 30 years of the Kākāpō Recovery Programme Part 2: 1995 to 2025. Art by kākāpō ranger Sarah Little (www.instagram.com/sarahmaylittle). #kakapo #conservation #parrots #birds
December 31, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Celebrating 30 years of the Kākāpō Recovery Programme Part 2: 1995 to 2025. Art by kākāpō ranger Sarah Little (www.instagram.com/sarahmaylittle). #kakapo #conservation #parrots #birds
In 2025 we marked 30 years of the Kākāpō Recovery Programme. Kākāpō ranger and artist Sarah Little (www.instagram.com/sarahmaylittle) tells the story. Part 1 of 2: the history. #kakapo #conservation #parrots #birds
December 31, 2025 at 8:46 AM
In 2025 we marked 30 years of the Kākāpō Recovery Programme. Kākāpō ranger and artist Sarah Little (www.instagram.com/sarahmaylittle) tells the story. Part 1 of 2: the history. #kakapo #conservation #parrots #birds
The Whakatipu #takahe breeding season is off to a good start, with approx 6 nests in the Greenstone and several from the new population in the Rees. www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-r... Great pic by takahē ranger Lisa van Beek. #conservation #rails #birds
December 11, 2025 at 8:37 AM
The Whakatipu #takahe breeding season is off to a good start, with approx 6 nests in the Greenstone and several from the new population in the Rees. www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-r... Great pic by takahē ranger Lisa van Beek. #conservation #rails #birds
Stoked that the Kākāpō Files from Radio NZ will be back this summer. Follow to hear how this #kakapo breeding season - likely to be the biggest ever - unfolds! #conservation
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
November 18, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Stoked that the Kākāpō Files from Radio NZ will be back this summer. Follow to hear how this #kakapo breeding season - likely to be the biggest ever - unfolds! #conservation
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
Rakiura's nest tags. She had a cavity in the base of a big rata. #kakapo #conservation #birds #parrots
November 16, 2025 at 8:17 AM
Rakiura's nest tags. She had a cavity in the base of a big rata. #kakapo #conservation #birds #parrots
Great to be on Whenua Hou last week, helping attach GPS tags to #kakapo ahead of the breeding season. We caught up with Rakiura - whom we're hoping will use the same nest for the 7th time. That's unusual - kākāpō normally don't re-use nests. #conservation #parrots
November 16, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Great to be on Whenua Hou last week, helping attach GPS tags to #kakapo ahead of the breeding season. We caught up with Rakiura - whom we're hoping will use the same nest for the 7th time. That's unusual - kākāpō normally don't re-use nests. #conservation #parrots
We're not feeding #kakapo on Anchor Island this year: with a big rimu mast predicted, we're expecting them not to need help. It's also part of our plan to reduce management intensity. #conservation #parrots
October 21, 2025 at 7:22 AM
We're not feeding #kakapo on Anchor Island this year: with a big rimu mast predicted, we're expecting them not to need help. It's also part of our plan to reduce management intensity. #conservation #parrots
#kakapo breeding starts with the feeding. For the last month we've been putting out food on Whenua Hou to get the adults into breeding condition. We need the males fat enough to boom and the females heavy enough to produce eggs (although not too hefty or their chicks will all be males). #parrots
October 21, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Sad to report that we've lost another #kakapo, and a particularly significant one. Solstice was the last kākāpō rediscovered, found on Rakiura in 1997. She died on the weekend as a result of complications from the #disease cloacitis. There are now 237 kākāpō left. #conservation #parrots #birds
October 2, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Sad to report that we've lost another #kakapo, and a particularly significant one. Solstice was the last kākāpō rediscovered, found on Rakiura in 1997. She died on the weekend as a result of complications from the #disease cloacitis. There are now 237 kākāpō left. #conservation #parrots #birds
The #kakapo population has dropped to 238. Adult female Lisa was found dead on Anchor Island recently, and two of the 2019 cohort, Tūmanako and Whakakini, have not been since since then and so have been removed from the official count. #conservation #parrots #birds
August 24, 2025 at 8:44 AM
The #kakapo population has dropped to 238. Adult female Lisa was found dead on Anchor Island recently, and two of the 2019 cohort, Tūmanako and Whakakini, have not been since since then and so have been removed from the official count. #conservation #parrots #birds
We've lost female #kakapo Kuihi, who was euthanised at Dunedin Wildlife Hospital following weight loss and diagnosis of severe abdominal abnormalities. A reliable (foster) mother, she'll be sorely missed, especially in breeding seasons. There are 241 kākāpō left. #conservation #parrots
July 25, 2025 at 6:20 AM
We've lost female #kakapo Kuihi, who was euthanised at Dunedin Wildlife Hospital following weight loss and diagnosis of severe abdominal abnormalities. A reliable (foster) mother, she'll be sorely missed, especially in breeding seasons. There are 241 kākāpō left. #conservation #parrots
Next stop, #kakapo! We’re also working with @dnature.bsky.social to use qPCR in the upcoming 2026 kākāpō breeding season. We’re hoping to use a simple bill swab to sex chicks at a very young age on the islands, so we can prioritise their care as soon as possible. #conservation #genetics
July 16, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Next stop, #kakapo! We’re also working with @dnature.bsky.social to use qPCR in the upcoming 2026 kākāpō breeding season. We’re hoping to use a simple bill swab to sex chicks at a very young age on the islands, so we can prioritise their care as soon as possible. #conservation #genetics
Knowing the sex of #takahe chicks as soon as possible is important for efficient breeding management. With a new rapid #qPCR sex test developed by @dnature.bsky.social , we can now determine the sex of up to 48 chicks in less an hour in the field. A game changer! #conservation #genetics
July 16, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Knowing the sex of #takahe chicks as soon as possible is important for efficient breeding management. With a new rapid #qPCR sex test developed by @dnature.bsky.social , we can now determine the sex of up to 48 chicks in less an hour in the field. A game changer! #conservation #genetics
The new transmitter draws less power, is better integrated with our data networks, can be turned on and off remotely, and can be adjusted more easily. Plus it's cheaper! It's part of our efforts to make #kakapo conservation less intensive and more efficient. #conservation #parrots #birds
July 14, 2025 at 4:53 AM
The new transmitter draws less power, is better integrated with our data networks, can be turned on and off remotely, and can be adjusted more easily. Plus it's cheaper! It's part of our efforts to make #kakapo conservation less intensive and more efficient. #conservation #parrots #birds
Every #kakapo wears a transmitter, and changing them has been a huge job every year. But this will no longer be an annual job, thanks to #technology wizardry from the DOC Electronics Team who have made a new version. #conservation #conservationtech Pic: Bryony Hitchcock
July 14, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Every #kakapo wears a transmitter, and changing them has been a huge job every year. But this will no longer be an annual job, thanks to #technology wizardry from the DOC Electronics Team who have made a new version. #conservation #conservationtech Pic: Bryony Hitchcock