About this episode
This episode discusses the current breeding season of kākāpō, including nesting updates and the discovery of a lost female.
Almost 90% of adult female kākāpō of breeding age have mated so far this breeding season, and two thirds of those are nesting. Some birds have already laid a full clutch of eggs and while some clutches are 100% fertile, others are - as expected - unfortunately infertile. To date there are 55 fertile kākāpō eggs, and that number grows daily as kākāpō rangers find nests and are able to check the developing eggs. Alison Ballance checks in from Whenua Hou, where technical advisor Daryl Eason is nearing the end of the artificial insemination programme. He is excited that a ‘lost’ female has been found and wonders if she is also nesting. Send any Kākāpō Files questions and comments to kakapo@rnz.co.nz In this episode: 00:00 – Introduction 01:02 – Nest and egg updates 05:43 – A ‘lost’ bird is refound 08:00 – Waikawa, layer of fertile eggs 08:38 - Closing credits Learn more: Follow the Kākāpō Files podcast to keep up to date Watch the livestreaming kākāpō nest cam of Rakiura on her nest Listen to the Voice of the Kākāpō series for a recap of the 2019 breeding season Also listen to the episodes covering the interim 2022 breeding season , and about how a few male kākāpō have fared in the…
People in this episode
Host: Alison Ballance
Guest: Daryl Eason
Topics covered
- kākāpō breeding
- nesting
- egg fertility
- wildlife recovery
- conservation efforts
Keywords
- kākāpō
- breeding season
- nesting
- fertile eggs
- wildlife conservation
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Kākāpō Recovery Programme
Places: Whenua Hou, Rakiura
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- Biggest Kākāpō Breeding Season · April 2, 2026 · 33 min
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