When Someone Mentions Bird of The Year, Pick Me: The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary
The kākāriki karaka, or orange-fronted parakeet, is native to Aotearoa and is a critically threatened species. It was once on the brink of extinction after being one of the most common parrot species in the 1800s. These small forest-dwelling birds have an orange stripe above their beak and are one of the rarest parakeets, with just a few hundred birds left in the wild due to predators and habitat loss.
They are only found in Canterbury, Ōruawairua/Blumine Island in the Marlborough Sounds, and at the Sanctuary here in Nelson!
By providing them with a safe, predator-free environment, we have now established the largest wild population in the world. They thrive in our native beech forest and captivate visitors with their chirping tunes and endearing, playful personalities. They lack defenses against mammalian predators and are in urgent need of our help to continue providing a protected habitat.
By voting for kākāriki karaka, you are supporting funding to save this precious bird! As their campaign managers, we would be incredibly grateful if you could visit www.birdoftheyear.org.nz and place them as your top pick!
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