Want to know more about the world’s weirdest birds? You’ve come to the right place. I show #conservation of #kakapo and #takahe in #NewZealand. Come for the videos; stay for the science!

Last week we checked two of the four #kakapo on Te Puka-Hereka/Coal Island, for their first health check since their release in May. Both were in good condition and had quickly settled not far from their release site. #conservation #parrots

Sad to report two more #kakapo deaths. Madeline was euthanised in hospital after an irrecoverable bill injury, and Otepoti died after being found unwell. All three recent deaths are unrelated, but a reminder of the fragility of the population (244). #conservation 📸 Sarah Little

Juvenile male #kakapo Paroro on Anchor Island during transmitter change recently. He has definitely left home since he fledged in 2022: he’s now living a long way from mother Konini and foster mother Kuia. #parrots #conservation

Views from a trip to Pukenui/Anchor Island a week ago, to help with #kakapo transmitter changes. No decent kākāpō photos, I'm afraid, but my scenery pics are a slightly better! #conservation #fieldwork.

Find out how the genetic basis of the kākāpō structural color polymorphism suggests balancing selection by an extinct apex predator – such a great collaboration w @HernMoral @takapodigs @deidre_vercoe @GenomicsNZ @ASanture @JosephGuhlin & many more: https://t.co/VZB5T0OFBT

Moody skies across southern Fiordland today, en route to Anchor Island for #kakapo work. #conservation #fieldwork

Sad news from the #kakapo world: Ranger, a 5 year old male, has been found dead on Anchor Island. He appeared to have died in a tree fall during recent storms. A reminder that animals have accidents too. There are 246 kākāpō left. #conservation #parrots Pic: Jake Osborne

It's early days, but the new #takahe population in the Greenstone has done well in its first year. All 28 founders are alive, and last year 7-10 chicks hatched. Breeding starts again soon, so we can't wait to see what happens this year! #conservation https://t.co/ZgWSWjkkc4

Want to work for the #kakapo and #takahe teams at the Department of Conservation? We're hiring an infrastructure ranger to support our work at some of the most beautiful and important #conservation sites in Aotearoa. #jobs https://t.co/TUHnIvAlYs

We're moving #kakapo off one of their biggest islands. Why? #conservation #parrots #birds https://t.co/mrnPzssxrv

How are we using #genomics to help save #kakapo? Find out here: https://t.co/41Mfyx8eUG @radionz @GenomicsNZ @AotearoaScience #conservation #parrots

It’s been a year since we introduced #kakapo to the fenced sanctuary at Maungatautari. Find out how it’s gone in the Our Changing World podcast by @cconcannonsci at @RNZScience. Includes kākāpō encountering milk tankers! https://t.co/1cKzVYvurc #conservation #parrots

#kakapo Madeline has been transferred to hospital after being found ill on Whenua Hou with a beak injury. She’s from the genetically important Fiordland lineage. Big thanks to the team at @DunedinWH for their care. #conservation Pic: Lydia Uddstrom

To mark the season we’re offering a new special edition #kakapo adoption: Solstice, who 27 years ago today was the last kākāpō discovered from the original population. Available until 21 July. Adoptions provide vital support for our #conservation work. https://t.co/53xtkDnBaf

Coal has similar habitat to nearby Te Kākahu/Chalky Island, and is pest-free except for occasional stoat incursions. This trial will allow us to trial methods of detecting and removing stoats at low densities, as well as learning more about their risk to #kakapo. #conservation

There’s a new #kakapo island! On Friday we released four males to Te Puka-Hereka/Coal Island, the southern-most island in Fiordland, with @NgāiTahu and the Coal Island Trust. This is to help relieve the pressure for space on the main breeding islands. #conservation #parrots

It’s incredible that #kakapo Ako is still alive. She hatched with an open fontanelle (the skull didn’t completely fuse) which required world-first surgery by the vets at @WildbaseNZ. Read more here:

Exciting times in the #kakapo world as we roll out our new transmitter design, with much longer battery life and smarter #technology, thanks to the brilliant @docgovtnz Electronics Team. Here’s site lead Petrus with 5 year old Ako. #conservation #parrots 📸 Dani Whitaker

One #kakapo has got over the fence at Maungatautari in the last 3 months, but a new GPS unit meant we picked up Otepoti quickly. We’re still monitoring closely and working to understand how/why they’re escaping. Pic: DOC. #conservation #parrots @Maungatautari1

Want the latest from the #kakapo world, like when we’re next expecting breeding, and how the birds in the newest population at Maungatautari are faring? Check out our latest newsletter: https://t.co/Hej776pgPv #conservation #parrots Pic: Dani Whitaker. @Maungatautari1