Bird Album
New Zealand Kaka
Nestor meridionalis (Gmelin, JF, 1788)
45 cmLength428 gWeight
The New Zealand kākā (Nestor meridionalis) is a large species of parrot of the family Strigopidae found in native forests of New Zealand.
Busiest months: November–December · Most records: New Zealand
Where and when it's recorded
New Zealand Kaka has been recorded at 34 of the 8,171 birding hotspots we track, in 1 country or region.
Records by month Southern Hemisphere
Where it's recorded most
- Zealandia Te Mara a Tane Wildlife SanctuaryNew Zealand1,752 records
- Rakiura NP – Ulva IslandNew Zealand1,439 records
- Tawharanui Regional ParkNew Zealand744 records
More places
- Stewart Island – Oban & Halfmoon BayNew Zealand705 records
- Orokonui EcosanctuaryNew Zealand562 records
- Maungatautari – Southern Enclosure & Tautari WetlandNew Zealand320 records
- Ulva Island West EndNew Zealand314 records
- Zealandia – Lower DamNew Zealand313 records
- Fiordland NP – Lake Gunn Nature WalkNew Zealand273 records
- Kapiti Island LodgeNew Zealand231 records
Countries and regions with the most records
eBird records via GBIF up to 2024-12-31. A record means someone listed it; more records partly mean more birders, not more birds.
About
The New Zealand kākā (Nestor meridionalis) is a large species of parrot of the family Strigopidae found in native forests of New Zealand. The species is often known by the abbreviated name kākā, although it shares this name with the Norfolk kākā and Chatham kākā, both recently extinct. Two subspecies of New Zealand kākā are recognised.
Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia
Questions
How big is the New Zealand Kaka?
The New Zealand Kaka is about 45 cm long and weighs around 428 g.
Where does the New Zealand Kaka live?
Its breeding range: Australasia: North, South and Stewart islands (New Zealand). It is most often recorded in New Zealand.
When is the best time to see the New Zealand Kaka?
At the hotspots we track, it is recorded most in November and December (Southern Hemisphere).
Is the New Zealand Kaka endangered?
The IUCN Red List classifies the New Zealand Kaka as Vulnerable.
What does the New Zealand Kaka eat?
Main food: Omnivore.
What family is the New Zealand Kaka in?
It belongs to the family New Zealand Parrots (Strigopidae), order Parrot (Psittaciformes).
At a glance
- Length
- 45 cm
- Weight
- 428 g
- Habitat
- Forest
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Lifestyle
- Perches in trees
- Migration
- Resident (barely migrates)
- Conservation
- Vulnerable
More measurements
- Wing
- 284 mm
- Tail
- 172 mm
- Bill
- 55 mm
- Tarsus
- 38 mm
Averages from the AVONET dataset; length from field guides where available.
Range
Australasia: North, South and Stewart islands (New Zealand)
Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2
Classification
- Order
- Parrot Psittaciformes
- Family
- New Zealand Parrots Strigopidae
- Genus
- Nestor
Other birds in the genus Nestor
KeaNestor notabilis
KakapoStrigops habroptilus
Download illustration
Free to use with credit: “Illustration: Bird Album (birdalbum.com)”. Drawn by AI from a reference photo by Paddy Kemner. ↗
Heard it but can't see it? Mingji identifies birds by sound and photo, on your phone.