Guest Blogger: Campaign Manager for the Kiwi and Executive Director of the BNZ Kiwi Trust, Michelle Impey
Kiwi, Photo: Helen Mitchell
Boring? Uncharismatic? Not kiwi - our national icon and a quirky bird! Kiwi are our living icon and perhaps the most taken for granted of all our native species. Commonly found in company logos, product packaging, clothing design and much, much more, we are proud to be known worldwide as Kiwis. But how much do we really know about them? And why are we known as Kiwis? Is it simply because the bird appeared on shoe polish during the war, or is there more to it?
Guest blogger - Campaign Manager for the Takahe, Joanna Cox
To see a takahe in the wild is to glimpse into an ancient world. I was privileged to see a pair on Kapiti Island a few years ago and was entranced by their slow, quiet and almost regal movements, startlingly beautiful blue-green plumage and contrasting scarlet beaks. They certainly have the characteristics of an extinct species only ever to be seen in a museum - slow breeding, non-flying, beautifully coloured and highly edible. Yet the takahe has defied extinction.
Takahe, Photo: JL Kendrick
With sightings rare and far between, the takahe was presumed extinct by 1930. Whilst one unfortunate takahe stood stuffed and lifeless, relegated to the British Museum to reside near the remains of the Dodo, 400 of its kind were quietly holding the fort in the valleys of the Murchison Mountains waiting to be rediscovered in 1948.
Guest bloggers: Co-campaign managers for the Fernbird, Kent Xie and Michael Coote
We strongly advocate for the Fernbird (Bowdleria punctata to science, Matata, Kotata or Toetoe to Maori, and swamp sparrow to early European settlers) to be elected Forest & Bird’s Bird of the Year.
Fernbird, Craig McKenzie
This endemic, once widespread and abundant bird of wetlands and low tangled scrub urgently deserves more public attention.
About 18 cm in length, the fernbird is rich brown above, paler below, and heavily streaked and spotted dark brown over the throat and breast. The forehead and crown are chestnut and there is a white eyebrow stripe. Half of the bird’s length is made up of frayed-looking brown tail feathers, which it droops characteristically when in flight.
Guest Blogger: Campaign Manager for the Pukeko, Radio Presenter & Writer, Damian Christie
If ever there was an underbird in this competition, it’s the Pukeko. But there are so many reasons why the humble Swamp Hen should be Bird of the Year 2009.
Pukeko, Photo: Jordan Kappelly
The Pukeko is here to stay. Despite the best efforts of the nice people at Forest & Bird to set the mood, too many of our so-called “treasured” birds do themselves no favours in the downstairs department. Whether they’re picky, or simply lack the requiste knowledge on the finer points of breeding, many of our precious natives score as much as a thirty year old Morrissey fan who still lives with his parents. By contrast, the Pukeko is a prodigious lover. Frankly, if anything, the Pukeko probably spreads itself a bit thin in that department, and already as Campaign Manager I’ve had to pull favours to keep them out of the gossip pages. Chances are, if you read any snippet beginning “Which cheeky swamp hen was seen late on Friday night…”, you’ll know who they’re talking about. Point being, Pukeko are everywhere, and there’s only going to be more of them in the future - why not back one of nature’s winners?
Guest blogger: Co-campaign manager for the karearea, Ruud ‘bugman’ Kleinpaste
The New Zealand Falcon or Karearea has to be the “boy racer” of our skies.
There’s something quite reckless about the raptor that gets itself into trouble on the odd occasion. Falcon can fly like the wind and float at great heights, while scanning the air space and ground below; their eyesight is incredible – nothing escapes their attention.
While on a hunting mission, these birds will pursue prey that’s larger or heavier than themselves and the most spectacular dare-devil flights are the high speed pursuits of small birds.
Guest blogger: Campaign Manager for the Kakapo & Kakapo Ranger, Dana Boyte
This is a story about beating the odds and coming out on top. A true New Zealand story. The kakapo is threatened by the very things that make them so unique and amazing.
Their sweet musky scent is far too alluring for cunning stoats and cats and makes them a breeze to track down. And back before the days of mammalian predators the kakapo evolved its near perfect camouflage of mossy green feathers, and its ability to freeze and stay perfectly still when danger approaches as a brilliant defense against predators such as the Haast eagle. Nowadays it makes them sitting ducks and an easy lunch.
Last month, I went for a short walk down the Auckland City Walk with botanist Hayden Reynolds and Ark veteran Grant Capill. Hayden started at the Ark last year monitoring hihi with Andy Warneford and has volunteered to monitor robins this year. So by now he is well aquainted with the local birds!
Quite a few of the recent arrivals from Pureora forest have been spotted and are doing well. Everyone is waiting expectantly to see who pairs up with who now that the breeding season has started. As the previous robin translocations come from Mokoia island some mixed pairs would be ideal as this would help to create a more vigorous and genetically varied population.
Guest blogger: Campaign Manager for the Kakariki: Phil Bilbrough
I’m cool. I look great - anyone who says different is jealous. I am Kākāriki, eight inches of attitude. Vote for me in Forest & Bird’s Bird of the Year competition.
Red-crowned parakeet, Photo: creative commons, digital trails
I’m a local and one that stands out. I am colour and personality. Beautiful light green, with blue in my wings, and a crimson crown, I have a yellow body and wings, and sometimes an orange crown. I make my counterparts look dour – browns, greys, blacks, white with spots, and the occasional deep blue – they only flash colour and personality.
