While North Island kōkako are now rising in numbers, thanks to intensive predator control and translocations, the same cannot be said for the more elusive South Island kōkako. Sadly, that may now be extinct. In 2023 Frank Films made an excellent short documentary on Rhys Buckingham and his life-long quest to find South Island kōkako. We still live in hope that the last few birds might still be alive and be found.
For #DuelsAndDuets for #JukeboxFridayNight, we've got to include the most accomplished duetters in Aotearoa: the kōkako.
My wife made this recording of a pair of North Island kōkako duetting near Lake Rotoehu in the Bay of Plenty.
Kōkako pair for life and sing a haunting, almost whale-like duet, to strengthen their pair bond and announce their territory to neighbouring birds.
Here's what should be the most famous duet in Aotearoa-NZ: the kōkako!
The male and female in a pair come together to sing an elaborate song lasting about 30 seconds. They pair for life, if they can, and the longer they've been together the better their duets.
This is a recording made by my wife Laura Molles from when she was working on kōkako acoustic behaviour.
#introduction
I ran a poll asking if I should keep 1 account with both nerdy & politicsy bits, or split it into 2 different accounts. The results showed that 39% wanted it split. Thinking on it, I decided to make a 2nd account. People who want to see everything, follow both accounts.
If you want to see the following, then follow this account.
#DungeonsAndDragons
#DoctorWho
#animals
#conservation
#RPG
#BoardGames
#science
#kokako
#kakapo
#dnd
Otherwise go to my personal account @ThomasKnight
Jon Sullivan
Mike Franks
Shaun
Cheeky Kokako