Coordinator: Mt Bruce Wildlife Center

Habitat and Distribution: Inhabit unmodified lowland forests of central North Island, North Taranaki, mixed kauri forests in Northland, (Puketi Forest). Some still survive in Coromandel forests and on Great Barrier Island. (South Island Kokako probably extinct)

Characteristics: A weak flier, the Kokako progresses through forest with bounds and glides. Skulking in habit. Best viewed soon after dawn, when birds sing from prominent perch.

Voice: Melodious flute-like notes with mews and clucks; some passages are reminiscent of Tui.

Food: mainly vegetarian. Eats wide range of foliage, flowers and fruits; also takes small insects, especially when nesting.

Breeding: Bulky nest with base of sticks covered with thick bed of moss is built in dense supplejack vine or shrub. Clutch of 2 or 4 cream coloured eggs with brown spots is laid from November to March and incubated by hen for 20 days. Both parents feed chicks at approximately 20 minute intervals. Chicks fledge when 4.5 weeks old and accompany parent for several weeks.

Captive Program:

Associated Documents: