New Zealand Kaka

Nestor meridionalis (Gmelin, JF, 1788)

Strigopidae — New Zealand Parrots

New Zealand Kaka, Nestor meridionalis, is a parrot of the Strigopidae family that breeds in New Zealand on North, South and Stewart islands. It lives in native forest, especially lowland and mid-altitude woodland with a well-developed canopy. A key feature is its strong link with mature forest, and it is found in more wooded parts of the country than the kea. The species was described in 1788 and is now placed in the genus Nestor. Two subspecies are recognised, with the South Island form showing slight plumage differences from the North Island bird.

Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Strigopidae — New Zealand Parrots
Breeding range: Australasia: North, South and Stewart is. (New Zealand)