Black Stilt/Kaki- the world's rarest wading bird
The Twizel area is the only place in the world where you are guaranteed to see the Black Stilt/Kaki.
Black Stilt / Kaki:
Kaki/black stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae) are one of the world's rarest and most endangered birds. Once widespread and common in many parts of New Zealand , kaki are now restricted to the Mackenzie Basin , South Canterbury . It is believed that their decline was caused mainly by the introduction of mammalian predators (eg ferrets, feral cats) and habitat modification following European colonisation. Kaki have been intensively managed since 1981, and guided tours of the Kaki Visitor Hide (just south of Twizel) offer guests an insight into the conservation and protection of this critically endangered species.
Adult kaki look very distinctive with their completely black plumage, long red legs and fine black bill. Young kaki go through various black and white phases before becoming fully black at around 18 months. Kaki live in braided rivers and wetlands, feeding on aquatic invertebrates, small fish and molluscs. They use their long bill to peck at insect larvae in the water, to probe underneath stones, and to sweep back and forth through aquatic mud in search of prey. Kaki are the only river bird to remain in the Mackenzie Basin throughout the year.
Twizel
Te Manahuna Area Office of the Department of Conservation manages the Kaki Recovery Programme. The long-term goal is to re-establish kaki in rivers and wetlands throughout their former range. At this stage, captive management is a crucial element of the recovery programme. Eggs are collected from both wild and captive kaki and then artificially incubated until hatching. The captive-reared young are later released into the wild. This technique has successfully increased kaki numbers from a population low of 23 birds to nearly 100 adult kaki in the wild.
How To See Them
With a low number of kaki spread out over a large area, it is unlikely that you will encounter kaki in the wild. However, visitors can see kaki and learn about their recovery by going on a guided tour of the Kaki Visitor Hide, just south of Twizel. Guests are shown around the facility by a Department of Conservation guide, and can see kaki up close in the display aviary. The Hide itself overlooks the aviaries where kaki are bred as part of DOC's Kaki Recovery Programme.
Tours are run regularly through the spring and summer at 9.30 am and 4.30 pm. Bookings can be made through Twizel Information Centre or Lake Pukaki Visitor Centre. Tours for larger or specialist groups should be arranged with Twizel
Te Manahuna Area Office (Department of Conservation). Bookings are essential.
Contact
DOC or
Twizel Information Centre for details.
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Other Bird Life
As well as the Kaki (Black Stilt), the Twizel area is home to other birdlife, including the Wrybill and Black-Fronted Tern, both of which are threatened species.
Wrybill / Ngutu Parore
Anarbynchus frontalis
This bird is named for its unique right-curved bill which is uses to extract insect larvae from under riverbed stones.
Banded Dotterel / Tuturiwhatu
Charadrius bicinctus
This bird is commonly found in the riverbeds of Canterbury , and specifically the Mackenzie Basin , where 10,000 pairs breed each year.
South Island Pied Oystercatcher / Torea
Haematopus finschi
The South Island Pied Oystercatcher can be found throughout spring and summer in South Island riverbeds and surrounding farmland.
Black-Fronted Tern / Tara
Sterna albostriata
The black-fronted tern lives inland and breeds on braided rivers, only visiting the coast to feed in autumn and winter.
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Braided Rivers of the Mackenzie Basin
Braided rivers are a network of ever-changing channels weaving between temporary shingle islands. The riverbed is completely covered by water only during large floods.
Braided rivers are scarce on a worldwide scale. On the eastern side of New Zealand 's Southern Alps, and especially in Canterbury , braided rivers are a prominent feature. Many plants and animals are adapted for living on these riverbeds.
Braided rivers are home to the breeding populations of many endemic bird species, some of which are threatened with extinction. The black stilt, black-fronted tern, banded dotterel and wrybill are all threatened.
Grasshoppers, lizards, weta and insects depend on the particular habitat provided by braided rivers. The gravelly rivers, full of sparkling, clear water straight from the mountain tops, also support an abundance of small native fish.
This unique riverbed environment is unusual for its combination of wetland and almost desert conditions. The plants that grow there have adapted to extremes of both wet and dry, and hot and cold. A number of plants hug the ground and form dense mats and cushions on the shingle river flats.
Braided River Care Code
Every spring native river birds go to braided rivers to breed. From August to December, too much disturbance from people, vehicles and pets can result in the deaths of their eggs and chicks.
You can help protect threatened river birds by following a few simple tips:
-River birds nest on the ground. Their eggs and chicks are extremely hard to spot. Please refrain from driving in river bed areas and walk to your destination instead.
-Birds that are swooping, circling or calling loudly probably have nests nearby. Move away so they can return to them, or their eggs and chicks could die.
-A dog running loose can wreak havoc in a nesting colony. Keep your dog on a leash during the breeding season.
-If you use a jet boat, be aware that jet boats disturb birds and can wash away nests near the water's edge. The speed limit for boats is 5 knots within 200 metres of the bank.
Contact Information:
Department of Conservation
- Twizel Te Manahuna Area Office, Wairepo Rd , Twizel
- Phone: (03) 435-0802
- Fax: (03) 435-0852
E-mail:
KakiVisitorHide@doc.govt.nz
The Twizel Information Centre:
Hours: October - April. 9.00am - 7.00pm. 7 days.
May - September. 10.00am - 4.00pm. Monday to Saturday.
Thanks to the Department of Conservation, Twizel for all text, images and sounds on this page.
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