Predators

 

 

The kokak used to be common throughout forests in the North Island in the early 1900s.  Numbers dropped due to forest clearance and introduced pest species such as stoats, possums and rats.  Part of what makes kokako so vulnerable is the 50 day nesting period carried out by females.  While on the nest females are easily picked off by predators – this has led to a skewed gender ratio, with more males in existence than females.  Kokako are still endangered, with around 750 pairs alive today.  Thankfully intensive pest control and captive breeding programmes are in place and the outlook for the species is positive.