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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

More info about the #kakapo population milestone here: www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-r.... We won't be naming all of the chicks this year, which is a progression I've been keen on for a while now. #kakapo2026 #conservation

doc.govt.nz

Kākāpō population reaches new milestone

The official population of the critically endangered kākāpō has reached a recovery-era high of 325 birds.

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Find out the latest #kakapo news by listening to the Kākāpō Files podcast from @ali-ballance.bsky.social on RadioNZ. We've got chick paternity results too! Thanks to @josephguhlin.bsky.social @peterkdearden.bsky.social for their help with the genomics. #conservation www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/k...

A adult kākāpō among bushes on the ground during the daytime. Credit: Andrew Digby

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

325 #kakapo! The chicks from this year's record breeding season are now juveniles and so have been added to the population. In 1995 there were just 51 kākāpō left. Recovery of critically endangered species _is_ possible with sustained effort. #kakapo2026 #conservation #parrots

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

With highly-pathogenic avian influenza now in NZ, we're taking steps to protect #kakapo and #takahe by vaccinating against the disease, following a successful trial. We're aiming for ~90 kākāpō and 100 takahē in an initial phase to protect the most valuable birds/sites. #conservation #birds

A kākāpō amongst bushes on the ground, in day time. Credit: Andrew Digby

A takahē on a nest with two eggs. Credit: Andrew Digby

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

A great article from @peterkdearden.bsky.social on extinction, why #conservation matters, and the role of #genomics. #kakapo open.substack.com/pub/peterkde...

Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

The final #kakapo chick (Pearl-4B) from this year's cohort has fledged the nest (defined as roosting outside the nest for the first time). There are 91 chicks alive. They won't be counted towards the population until they're 150 days old. 📸 Petrus Hedman #conservation #kakapo2026 #parrots #birds

A kākāpō chick receiving a health check on a person's lap. Credit: Petrus Hedman

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Thank you for teaching the children about kākāpō and conservation!

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

This nest wasn't usual: the first ever in which we couldn't access the chick. But Whetu-A3 has recently fledged from the nest in good health. As we transition to less intensive management for #kakapo, more nests will be treated like this (without ramps!). 📸: Petrus Hedman. #conservation

A kākāpō chick on a person's lap receiving a health check. Credit: Petrus Hedman.

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

The #kakapo chick Whetu-A3 hatched successfully, but we couldn't weigh it or check its health, and could only look in occasionally to see it was still alive. Worried it might injure itself when it came to fledge, our team built a ramp for it. #kakapo2026 #conservation 📸: Petrus Hedman

A photo showing a ramp built to the entrance of a kakapo nest in a tree. Credit: Petrus Hedman

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Two months ago, I returned a fertile #kakapo egg (Whetu-A3) to the nest and tried to remove another infertile egg from beneath her. She wouldn't let me take the egg, so I offered her the new one. Tricky to do that with one hand while using my phone to see what I was doing! Luckily she took the egg!

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

My favourite #kakapo nest from this year was Whetu's on Anchor: she was 2m off the ground, 2m down a hollow rata trunk, with an entrance so small we had to use a phone camera to see inside. It was the only nest we didn't get into. #kakapo2026 #conservation #parrots

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

We've lost another #kakapo chick. Rata-A2, from Rata's nest on Te Kākahu/Chalky Island, has been euthanised with severe internal diseases. Huge thanks to Dunedin Wildlife Hospital for their care. There are now 92 chicks alive. 📸 Daryl Eason #kakapo2026 #conservation

A kākāpō chick on the ground during a health check. Credit: Daryl Eason

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

An important study on a species which urgently needs more #conservation effort. Nice work @josephguhlin.bsky.social @jemmageoghegan.bsky.social and team, and nicely explained @josephguhlin.bsky.social!

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Reposted by Andrew Digby

Joseph Guhlin @josephguhlin.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

New paper! 🐧 We sequenced 249 hoiho / yellow-eyed penguins across mainland Aotearoa New Zealand and the sub-Antarctic to understand their history and why a deadly chick disease is hitting the mainland population so hard. #Science #Conservation #Genomics #NZWildlife www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Hohio, yellow-eyed penguin, closeup of head, looking to the side

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Sir David Attenborough has a soft spot for #kakapo. We named a kākāpō after him (Attenborough the bird is now ten years old, living on Te Kākahu) and he kindly narrated a short video for us about them, which you can see here: youtu.be/5eZVjQowNvw?.... #attenborough #conservation

A male kākāpō In a roost. Credit: Andrew Digby

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

A true legend turns 100. We all owe Sir David for inspiring so many people to care about the natural world. And we’re particularly grateful for his support of the #kakapo and #takahe recovery programmes. You couldn’t meet a more enthusiastic - and humble - great man. #conservation #attenborough

Sir David Attenborough with Deidre Vercoe and Andrew Digby of the Kākāpō and Takahē Recovery Programmes

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Listen to the Kākāpō Files podcast to learn more about this year's record #kakapo breeding season, including the details of Rimu's cliff-top nest. #kakapo #kakapo2026 #conservation @ali-ballance.bsky.social

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Here's #kakapo Rimu's cliff-top entrance. It's a narrow ledge and a long way down, so a very precarious place for a chick to first venture outside! With the chick found inside this nest, the number of chicks alive increased to 93, out of 106 hatched. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Our team has finally managed to dig into #kakapo Rimu's cliff-top nest on Te Kākahu. We knew there was at least one chick inside, and that it had a high chance of falling to its death when it left. The cliff-side hole has been blocked and new entrance made. Pic: Daryl Eason #kakapo2026 #conservation

An adult kākāpō with chick in a nest. Credit: Daryl Eason

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

#kakapo chicks grow into their feet! Here's Zephyr-A1-2026 at 39 days old in Weheruatanga-o-te-Po's nest on Whenua Hou. It's one of the younger chicks from this year's cohort. 106 hatched, and 93 are still alive. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds

A side view of a 39 day old kākāpō chick at a nest. Credit: Andrew Digby

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Ah, that’ll be because two of Waa’s chicks died. I’ll post about that soon.

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

The 92 living #kakapo chicks are from 29 to 73 days old. The oldest have had transmitters fitted and have fledged (roosted outside the nest during the day). They'll stay with their nest mother for several more months, then will leave once they're 6+ months old. #kakapo2026 #conservation #wildlife

A front view of a ~40 day old kākāpō chick at a nest, against a dark background. Credit: Andrew Digby

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

This late into a #kakapo breeding season, long after the mating has finished, a few males will still be at their bowls. They'll be sporadically booming, but most often you'll hear their 'skraaks' as they scrap for territory before returning to their winter ranges. #kakapo2026 #conservation

A male kākāpō near his display "bowl" in the day time, amongst grasses and moss. Credit: Andrew Digby.

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Our new rapid-sexing method for #kakapo and #takahē has been transformative. We've been sexing kākāpō chicks in the field on the day they hatch, enabling more effective management. Big thanks to @dnature.bsky.social @dnaturediagnostics.bsky.social www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-r...

Two kākāpō chicks at a nest. Credit: Andrew Digby

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Bumped into an old friend on Whenua Hou the day before yesterday, while I was working on the webcam. #kakapo #kakapo2026 #conservation #wildlife

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Have you been watching the #kakapo webcam? After a few power issues it’s back online. I’ll be at the nest in about an hour from now, so tune in then if you’re free! www.youtube.com/live/K_j3aaE...

youtube.com

Kākāpō Cam: Rakiura the kākāpō – 2026 nest

YouTube video by Department of Conservation

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 19/04/2026

#kakapo Esperance with chick Elsie-A2-2026 on Whenua Hou. At a month old the chicks start to get coloured feathers and males will weigh around 1kg - not far off the mother's weight. But she's still less than halfway through raising them in the nest! #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds #wildlife

An adult female kākāpō feeding a chick in a nest. Credit: Andrew Digby

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

#kakapo breeding fridge update. With all eggs hatched, the only changes from now will be chicks dying 😕 (And maybe Rimu’s nest). #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds

Totals of the 2026 kākāpō breeding season on the fridge door on Whenua Hou. Credit: Andrew Digby

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

The youngest #kakapo alive: Awarua-A3, 17 days old today. Despite appearances, she’s doing well. She won’t be leaving the nest until mid-June. It’s a long breeding season! #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds.

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

There are currently 94 #kakapo chicks alive, with 59 on Anchor, 22 on Whenua Hou, at least 10 on Te Kākahu and 3 in hospital. We lost a chick to a freak flooding of a nest earlier this week on Anchor. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds

A kākāpō chick at a nest. Credit: Andrew Digby

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Last week we transferred 4 #kakapo chicks from Whenua Hou to Anchor Island; having moved 5 in March. With a better food supply on Anchor the mothers there can support two chicks per nest better than on Whenua Hou, where the rimu fruit has failed to ripen. 📸 Sarah Manktelow #kakapo2026 #conservation

A kākāpō chick in a bag during a health check. Credit: Sarah Manktelow.

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

It is hard to guess, and there’s always the risk of disease causing high mortality. But since 2016, hatch to fledge survival has ranged from 70 - 90%. We’re currently at 90%, so expect we’ll be around the lower end of that range, if not lower. 🤞🏻

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

This year's #kakapo breeding season has been the biggest on record: - 256 eggs (252 in 2019) - 148 fertile eggs (116 in 2019) - 105 eggs hatched (86 in 2019). It'll be 2+ months until we know how many chicks will fledge (73 in 2019). There are currently 95 alive. #conservation #kakapo2026 #birds

A female kakapo on a nest facing the camera, with a young chick in front of her. Credit: Andrew Digby

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Two scraps of cotton wool. #kakapo chicks Pakiki-A3-2026 and Wendy-A1-2026 in Wendy's nest on Anchor Island. These are two of the youngest kākāpō chicks from this year. The oldest is about 6 weeks older and ~15 times heavier! #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds #wildlife

Two week-old kākāpō chicks in a nest. Credit: Andrew Digby

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

For those not following the #kakapo nest cam: a new chick (Heather-A3) has been added to Rakiura’s nest tonight. We’re testing whether she can cope with two (bigger) mouths to feed again. #kakapo2026 #conservation www.youtube.com/live/LDSWtyU...

youtube.com

Kākāpō Cam: Rakiura the kākāpō – 2026 nest

YouTube video by Department of Conservation

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Reposted by Andrew Digby

Alison Ballance @ali-ballance.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

You won't find many kākāpō Easter eggs in the latest episode of the, Kākāpō Files ... because they've all hatched! And by every measure, this is now officially the biggest breeding season on record. #kakapo #conservation #birds www.rnz.co.nz/podcast/kaka...

rnz.co.nz

Biggest Kākāpō Breeding Season episode of Kākāpō Files II

DOC’s Kākāpō Recovery Programme says that the 2026 kākāpō breeding season is officially the biggest on record, and that all chicks have now hatched. At least 256 eggs were laid in 80 nests, of which a...

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 30/03/2026

The youngest #kakapo chick on Pukenui/Anchor Island: Hanariki-A2, at 3 days old. It's a tiny 42g, but doing OK. Managed to keep it mostly dry on a very wet night. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

#kakapo chicks Ongaonga-A2 and A3 on Pukenui during a health check. These chicks are “chalk” priority, meaning that they only get checked a few times before fledging (~75 days). They’re doing well. #kakapo2026 #conservation #wildlife

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Lots of ripe rimu fruit appearing on the trees on Pukenui/Anchor. This is the food driving the current biggest #kakapo breeding season on record: ripe fruit is the main diet of kākāpō chicks, and a record rimu crop is the reason why the chicks are growing well. #conservation #kakapo2026 #birds

Ripe rimu fruit on a tree. Credit: Andrew Digby

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

#kakapo chick Hananui-A3 being weighed during a health check at Verity's nest on Pukenui/Anchor Island. We weigh chicks to assess health condition, and compare against the mean expected for its age. At 9 days old and 120g, this chick is tracking well. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds

A kākāpō chick being weighed in a small bag. Credit: Andrew Digby

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

#kakapo chicks tire out easily! Aparima-A2 asleep on me during a health check. With adult feathers beginning to emerge and putting on up to ~20% of his body weight per day, he's got a lot going on! #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds #parrots

A 4 week old chick asleep on a person's lap during a health check. Credit: Andrew Digby

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Amazing what difference 19 days can make in the life of a #kakapo chick. Last night we checked Konini's nest for the first time in 3 weeks and the chicks are growing fast. We're checking nests less often this year to reduce the intensity of our #conservation management. #kakapo2026

Two newly-hatched kākāpō chicks at a nest. Credit: Andrew Digby

Two three-week old kākāpō chicks at a nest. Credit: Andrew Digby

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

At ~3 weeks old, #kakapo chicks start to get a bit more mobile and move around the nest. As they get older, we check them less often - especially if their growth curve is good. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds #wildlife

A three-week old kakapo chick at a nest. Credit: Andrew Digby

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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

100 #kakapo chicks?! They won’t all survive and the season’s tally will end up quite a lot less than that, but that’s our current guess at how many have hatched so far. #kakapo #conservation #wildlife

A white board showing totals of kākāpō breeding. Credit: Andrew Digby

A kākāpō chick in a person’s hand. Credit: Andrew Digby

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