@freddiembird.bsky.social
Very good bird who likes rockin' out to Brian May riffs. Trying not to leave my house for now. SAVE THE KAKAPO!
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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
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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
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Looking for a different gift idea this year? How about a #kakapo adoption? Adoptions are open again until 25th Nov, with postage or email options. These fund a significant proportion of our programme and make a real difference to the #conservation work we do. Thanks! www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/kak...
Adopt a kākāpō
Kākāpō adoptions are a special way to support the conservation of this taonga species. You can adopt a kākāpō for yourself or as a gift.
www.doc.govt.nz
November 4, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Looking for a different gift idea this year? How about a #kakapo adoption? Adoptions are open again until 25th Nov, with postage or email options. These fund a significant proportion of our programme and make a real difference to the #conservation work we do. Thanks! www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/kak...
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It's that time again! Going live tomorrow is the 2025 Parrot Club Charity Auction For the Birds! We have 263 items this year & a brand new charity section raising money & awareness for some of our favorite bird charities! #ParrotSky #Fellowshipofthewing www.32auctions.com/TPC25 www.theparrotclub.org
November 7, 2025 at 11:04 PM
It's that time again! Going live tomorrow is the 2025 Parrot Club Charity Auction For the Birds! We have 263 items this year & a brand new charity section raising money & awareness for some of our favorite bird charities! #ParrotSky #Fellowshipofthewing www.32auctions.com/TPC25 www.theparrotclub.org
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We’re getting ready for a very large #kakapo breeding season this summer - and hoping avian influenza doesn’t arrive at the same time… 🤞🏻 #conservation #birds #parrots #disease
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Saving the world’s fattest parrot: can we vaccinate our rarest species before bird flu gets to them?
Trial in only continent untouched by avian flu suggests jabs will be key to survival as migration season approaches
www.theguardian.com
September 2, 2025 at 11:51 PM
We’re getting ready for a very large #kakapo breeding season this summer - and hoping avian influenza doesn’t arrive at the same time… 🤞🏻 #conservation #birds #parrots #disease
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
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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
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Huge thanks to the team at Dunedin Wildlife Hospital for their wonderful care and dedication in doing all they could to save Kuihi.
July 25, 2025 at 6:24 AM
Huge thanks to the team at Dunedin Wildlife Hospital for their wonderful care and dedication in doing all they could to save Kuihi.
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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
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Huge news! Having spent a while studying #kiwi pukupuku, this got me very excited. Finding a remnant mainland population of LSK is probably more significant than finding more #kakapo. Huge respect to those involved and particularly the hunter who found them.
www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-r...
www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-r...
Shock kiwi rediscovery delights conservation world
Kiwi pukupuku/little spotted kiwi have been rediscovered in the wild on mainland Aotearoa for the first time in 50 years, shocking and delighting conservationists.
www.doc.govt.nz
July 25, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Huge news! Having spent a while studying #kiwi pukupuku, this got me very excited. Finding a remnant mainland population of LSK is probably more significant than finding more #kakapo. Huge respect to those involved and particularly the hunter who found them.
www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-r...
www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-r...
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Our team have been working hard changing transmitters on all ~90 #kakapo on Whenua Hou, including Vori. Catching kākāpō can be tricky - especially since they often roost up trees. #conservation #parrots Pic: Maddy WhittakerA
July 14, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Our team have been working hard changing transmitters on all ~90 #kakapo on Whenua Hou, including Vori. Catching kākāpō can be tricky - especially since they often roost up trees. #conservation #parrots Pic: Maddy WhittakerA
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You can't see me, right?! Our ranger team are currently on Whenua Hou changing transmitters on the #kakapo population. This used to be an annual job, but will be less frequent now due to new #technology. This great photo of Rakiura was taken by ranger Maddy Whittaker. #conservation #parrots
June 30, 2025 at 2:55 AM
You can't see me, right?! Our ranger team are currently on Whenua Hou changing transmitters on the #kakapo population. This used to be an annual job, but will be less frequent now due to new #technology. This great photo of Rakiura was taken by ranger Maddy Whittaker. #conservation #parrots
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It's that time again! After a 4 year wait, we're predicting a big #kakapo breeding season this coming summer (early 2026). It's an exciting opportunity for us to reduce the intensity of our #conservation management methods. Read more here: blog.doc.govt.nz/2025/06/27/k... #parrots #birds
June 30, 2025 at 7:07 AM
It's that time again! After a 4 year wait, we're predicting a big #kakapo breeding season this coming summer (early 2026). It's an exciting opportunity for us to reduce the intensity of our #conservation management methods. Read more here: blog.doc.govt.nz/2025/06/27/k... #parrots #birds
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How do we know that #kakapo will breed next year? Each autumn, we inspect rimu trees: if more than 10% of branchlets are developing fruit, then there'll be a rimu 'mast' and kākāpō will nest. This year the counts are the highest we've ever seen, which means most females should breed. #conservation
June 30, 2025 at 7:15 AM
How do we know that #kakapo will breed next year? Each autumn, we inspect rimu trees: if more than 10% of branchlets are developing fruit, then there'll be a rimu 'mast' and kākāpō will nest. This year the counts are the highest we've ever seen, which means most females should breed. #conservation
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At their current sites, #kakapo only breed in response to rimu 'masting' (mass-fruiting), which only happens every 2-4 years. The ripe fruit is a 'super food', rich in calcium (and perhaps vitamin D) necessary to raise chicks with large, heavy bones. #conservation #parrots
June 30, 2025 at 7:20 AM
At their current sites, #kakapo only breed in response to rimu 'masting' (mass-fruiting), which only happens every 2-4 years. The ripe fruit is a 'super food', rich in calcium (and perhaps vitamin D) necessary to raise chicks with large, heavy bones. #conservation #parrots
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We attempt artificial insemination in #kakapo mainly to maintain genetic diversity. A new study describes how in 2019, with a team of German experts from @jlugiessen.bsky.social, we were successful for the first time in a decade. #conservation #parrots dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
June 17, 2025 at 8:29 AM
We attempt artificial insemination in #kakapo mainly to maintain genetic diversity. A new study describes how in 2019, with a team of German experts from @jlugiessen.bsky.social, we were successful for the first time in a decade. #conservation #parrots dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
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The #disease cloacitis has affected at least 47 #kakapo over the last 20 yrs, so finding a cause is a high priority. A new study led by @rebeccakfrench.bsky.social & @jemmageoghegan.bsky.social has found that a strain of E. coli might be responsible. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
June 15, 2025 at 7:11 AM
The #disease cloacitis has affected at least 47 #kakapo over the last 20 yrs, so finding a cause is a high priority. A new study led by @rebeccakfrench.bsky.social & @jemmageoghegan.bsky.social has found that a strain of E. coli might be responsible. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
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We're delighted that Daryl Eason, our team's guru who's worked with #kakapo and #takahe for 30+ years, has been recognised for his huge contribution to #NZ #conservation. It's very richly deserved: both species owe so much to his efforts. Ka rawe Daryl!
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3607...
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3607...
June 2, 2025 at 9:22 AM
We're delighted that Daryl Eason, our team's guru who's worked with #kakapo and #takahe for 30+ years, has been recognised for his huge contribution to #NZ #conservation. It's very richly deserved: both species owe so much to his efforts. Ka rawe Daryl!
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3607...
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3607...
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Great to be back on Anchor Island in Fiordland for a brief visit. The rimu is looking good: with record fruit counts we’re gearing up for a big 2026 for #kakapo! #conservation #parrots
May 21, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Great to be back on Anchor Island in Fiordland for a brief visit. The rimu is looking good: with record fruit counts we’re gearing up for a big 2026 for #kakapo! #conservation #parrots
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Tuarima is the 49th #kakapo on record to have contracted cloacitis. This #disease has puzzled us and hampered management since 2003. But we're getting closer to an answer with help from microbiologists and geneticists. Latest results here: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... #conservation #parrots
May 10, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Tuarima is the 49th #kakapo on record to have contracted cloacitis. This #disease has puzzled us and hampered management since 2003. But we're getting closer to an answer with help from microbiologists and geneticists. Latest results here: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1... #conservation #parrots