Summer science: Kākā in Wellington

Kākā numbers are skyrocketing in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington thanks to conservation efforts. The summer science series continues with a walk through Zealandia to find out why you shouldn't feed these inquisitive parrots.

Our summer science series continues with a story from Samantha Lloyd-Evans, a student from the Centre for Science in Society at Victoria University of Wellington.

Samantha takes us for a walk in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, where kākā numbers have skyrocketed in recent years, thanks to conservation efforts.

This increase in kākā has led to an increase in human-kākā interactions, as people learn how to live with these large endemic parrots.

For the most part, encounters with these inquisitive birds are positive. But seemingly helpful actions such as feeding kākā can have unintended consequences, says Ellen Irwin, lead conservation ranger at Zealandia Ecosanctuary.

Why feeding kākā is a bad idea

Wellingtonians feeding kākā in their backyards can cause a nutrient imbalance in the diet of kākā chicks, Ellen explains. This can lead to metabolic bone disease and other complications, and the chicks often die in the nest.

There are other risks to bird feeding as well, such as attracting pests or accidentally giving the kākā too many calories, similar to getting a toddler hyped up on sugar.

These risks are why Zealandia and other conservation groups are pushing to educate locals on how to safely interact with native wildlife.

Planting natives in your garden, practising responsible pet ownership, and joining your local trapping group are actions you can take to help native birds like kākā. Ellen also encourages the use of apps like iNaturalist to keep track of the birds seen in Wellington.

Join Ellen for a stroll through the lush ngahere forest of Zealandia while discussing Wellington's booming kākā population and how you can help them.

Learn more:

• Kākā have also made a comeback in Õtepoti Dunedin thanks to Orokonui Ecosanctuary.
• In Wellington, it's not just kākā too: urban bush birds are doing well in the capital, Alison Ballance reported in this 2018 episode.
• Meet some of the non-bird residents at Zealandia Ecosanctuary with Claire Concannon in this episode from May 2023.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details