fauna
Our forest is home to North Is brown kiwi (eastern taxa), North Is robin (toutouwai), tomtit (miromiro), wood pigeon (kereru), tui, white head (popokatea), bellbird (korimako), silvereye (tauhou), morepork (ruru) and grey warbler (riroriro). The kiwi population has been boosted by the release of captive bred birds. Kiwi numbers dropped sharply, from around 50 birds in 1984 to just 5 in 2006.A lone kokako resides in the forest. To protect this endangered bird DOC relocated kokako to Little Barrier Island in 1983. The Trust hopes to reintroduce kokako this year so once again their haunting calls will fill the forest. Otanewainuku is also home to other native animals. The long-tailed bat and two species of forest gecko have been found. The rare striped skink and more common copper skink may also be present. Native frog populations have yet to be surveyed.
We'd love to include photos you have taken at Otanewainuku - do email us
 stick insect |
 cicada |
 land snails |
 more about kokako |
 more about kiwi |
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 morepork |
 kereru - wood pigeon |
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 grey warbler |
 North Is robin |
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kokakoThe kōkako belongs to the endemic New Zealand wattlebirds (Callaeidae), an ancient family of birds which includes the saddleback and the extinct huia. The kōkako is the only member of its family still surviving on the mainland. It has a pair of brightly coloured, fleshy "wattles" extending from either side of its gape to meet below the neck. The North Is kōkako has blue wattles. The bird is not particularly good at flying and prefers to use its powerful legs to leap and run through the forest. Learn more on the DOC site. |
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