Kotuku - white heron - Egretta alba modesta
Photographed at Lake Ellesmere.
A cosmopolitan bird found worldwide in tropical and temperate regions. Of the four or more subspecies, the range of the largest, Egretta alba modesta is found in India, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Geographically and climatically New Zealand is near the extreme limits of its range.
In New Zealand it is a rare bird, and probably always has been. However the species was almost exterminated to satisfy the demand for feathers for women’s hats after its only breeding site on the banks of the Waitangiroto Stream, near Okarito in South Westland was discovered in 1865. By 1941 there were only four nests when it was declared a reserve and patrolled at breeding time. The numbers have now stabilised with a permanent population of around 100 to 120.
Outside of the breeding season these birds disperse widely throughout the country, frequenting shallow waters along the margins of rivers, inland lakes, swamps and coastal estuaries. Its long legs, bare of feathers well above the ankle joint, and long spreading toes fit it especially for wading on a muddy bottom. They are solitary feeders. At night when not feeding they roost in trees. Their voice is the typical heron croak in flight or when disturbed.
Kotuku food consists of mainly small fishes, including eels. Standing in water as deep as its long legs will allow without wetting its feathers, it remains perfectly still until a fish comes within reach, then with lightning like rapidity it strikes and at once swallows its prey. In addition to fish, its food includes, frogs, tadpoles, insects and even birds. I have witnessed a kotuku break a hole in the roof of an aviary and snatch out several canaries.
Their only nesting site in New Zealand on the banks of the Waitangituna Stream. White heron tours are now a major eco tourism industry for the nearby town of Whataroa.
Adult birds start arriving from all over the country around August and take part in elaborate courtship displays. Males build small platforms from which they advertise themselves to females. Displays of the male include a spectacular raising of the nuptial plumes, with the neck erect, the bill snapping and the wing feathers flicking. Once a female is attracted, the pair preen each other and intertwine their long necks, wings and bill. The female builds the real nest platform. The nests are placed in trees or in the crowns of tree ferns near to or overhanging water and at various heights from three to thirteen metres. The nests are well built of sticks and fern fronds. Three to five eggs are laid in September or October and the young are ready to fly in December and January.
The feathers of Kotuku, like the Huia, were highly prized by Maori and were used to adorn the heads of chiefs both in life and after death. The feathers were kept, as were Huia feathers, in elaborately carved boxes.
In Maori oratory, the most telling compliment is to liken someone to Kotuku. It symbolizes everything rare and beautiful. It was said that Kotuku is an inhabitant of the nether world, the spirit land of Reinga, and that an old funeral chant ends with these words to the departed: “Ko to kotuku to tapui, e Tama e – Kotuku is now thy sole companion, O my son!”. So seldom does Kotuku appear in any locality that “rare as the Kotuku” has passed into a proverb among Maori.
Details: Length 92 cm., weight 900 g., entirely white in non-breeding plumage, iris and bill yellow, legs and feet black. In August the adult birds undergo a change, growing long white feathers of loose texture which lie over the back, wings, and tail like a bridal train. These are the nuptial or breeding plumes. The bill becomes black and the facial skin green.
Kotuku - white heron - Egretta alba modesta
Photographed at Lake Ellesmere.
A cosmopolitan bird found worldwide in tropical and temperate regions. Of the four or more subspecies, the range of the largest, Egretta alba modesta is found in India, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Geographically and climatically New Zealand is near the extreme limits of its range.
In New Zealand it is a rare bird, and probably always has been. However the species was almost exterminated to satisfy the demand for feathers for women’s hats after its only breeding site on the banks of the Waitangiroto Stream, near Okarito in South Westland was discovered in 1865. By 1941 there were only four nests when it was declared a reserve and patrolled at breeding time. The numbers have now stabilised with a permanent population of around 100 to 120.
Outside of the breeding season these birds disperse widely throughout the country, frequenting shallow waters along the margins of rivers, inland lakes, swamps and coastal estuaries. Its long legs, bare of feathers well above the ankle joint, and long spreading toes fit it especially for wading on a muddy bottom. They are solitary feeders. At night when not feeding they roost in trees. Their voice is the typical heron croak in flight or when disturbed.
Kotuku food consists of mainly small fishes, including eels. Standing in water as deep as its long legs will allow without wetting its feathers, it remains perfectly still until a fish comes within reach, then with lightning like rapidity it strikes and at once swallows its prey. In addition to fish, its food includes, frogs, tadpoles, insects and even birds. I have witnessed a kotuku break a hole in the roof of an aviary and snatch out several canaries.
Their only nesting site in New Zealand on the banks of the Waitangituna Stream. White heron tours are now a major eco tourism industry for the nearby town of Whataroa.
Adult birds start arriving from all over the country around August and take part in elaborate courtship displays. Males build small platforms from which they advertise themselves to females. Displays of the male include a spectacular raising of the nuptial plumes, with the neck erect, the bill snapping and the wing feathers flicking. Once a female is attracted, the pair preen each other and intertwine their long necks, wings and bill. The female builds the real nest platform. The nests are placed in trees or in the crowns of tree ferns near to or overhanging water and at various heights from three to thirteen metres. The nests are well built of sticks and fern fronds. Three to five eggs are laid in September or October and the young are ready to fly in December and January.
The feathers of Kotuku, like the Huia, were highly prized by Maori and were used to adorn the heads of chiefs both in life and after death. The feathers were kept, as were Huia feathers, in elaborately carved boxes.
In Maori oratory, the most telling compliment is to liken someone to Kotuku. It symbolizes everything rare and beautiful. It was said that Kotuku is an inhabitant of the nether world, the spirit land of Reinga, and that an old funeral chant ends with these words to the departed: “Ko to kotuku to tapui, e Tama e – Kotuku is now thy sole companion, O my son!”. So seldom does Kotuku appear in any locality that “rare as the Kotuku” has passed into a proverb among Maori.
Details: Length 92 cm., weight 900 g., entirely white in non-breeding plumage, iris and bill yellow, legs and feet black. In August the adult birds undergo a change, growing long white feathers of loose texture which lie over the back, wings, and tail like a bridal train. These are the nuptial or breeding plumes. The bill becomes black and the facial skin green.