Andrew Digby
@digs.bsky.social
Conservation biologist and former astrophysicist. Scientist for threatened birds with the #kakapo and #takahe programmes at the New Zealand Department of Conservation. 🦣 [email protected]. Avatar: @blackmudpuppy.bsky.social
Quick #kakapo “fridge” update, as things are changing fast. May contain errors! #kakapo2026 #birds #parrots
February 13, 2026 at 11:10 AM
Quick #kakapo “fridge” update, as things are changing fast. May contain errors! #kakapo2026 #birds #parrots
Today we found 6 year old #kakapo Madison and Verity on nests on Pukenui/Anchor Island. Madison had "lost" her three eggs down a hollow at the back of her nest. We retrieved them, but all were probably infertile. It's a good nest though, so she might get a foster chick later. #kakapo2026 #birds
February 13, 2026 at 10:51 AM
Today we found 6 year old #kakapo Madison and Verity on nests on Pukenui/Anchor Island. Madison had "lost" her three eggs down a hollow at the back of her nest. We retrieved them, but all were probably infertile. It's a good nest though, so she might get a foster chick later. #kakapo2026 #birds
Candling #kakapo Ongaonga's eggs during the day when we found her nest. This one was small and misshapen - as well as infertile. She's now one of four juveniles nesting on Pukenui/Anchor: Pakiki was found on a nest today. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
February 12, 2026 at 8:10 AM
Candling #kakapo Ongaonga's eggs during the day when we found her nest. This one was small and misshapen - as well as infertile. She's now one of four juveniles nesting on Pukenui/Anchor: Pakiki was found on a nest today. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
February 11, 2026 at 8:50 AM
Early this morning I candled #kakapo Hau's remaining three eggs in her nest on a very wet Pukenui/Anchor Island. All three were fertile, but one had the shell punctured from her standing on it. I took that back to the hut to be artificially incubated, leaving her with two. #kakapo2026 #conservation
February 11, 2026 at 8:48 AM
Early this morning I candled #kakapo Hau's remaining three eggs in her nest on a very wet Pukenui/Anchor Island. All three were fertile, but one had the shell punctured from her standing on it. I took that back to the hut to be artificially incubated, leaving her with two. #kakapo2026 #conservation
The flightless #kakapo usually nest underground. Yesterday we found the coolest nest I’ve ever seen: Whetu was 3m above ground in a hollow rata tree. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
February 11, 2026 at 8:23 AM
The flightless #kakapo usually nest underground. Yesterday we found the coolest nest I’ve ever seen: Whetu was 3m above ground in a hollow rata tree. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
Yesterday we found juvenile female #kakapo Ongaonga on a nest on Pukenui/Anchor Island. At just under 4 years old (her hatch day is 12th Feb), she's the youngest female ever recorded nesting. Today we also found Matilda nesting - she's just 2 days older. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
February 9, 2026 at 7:42 AM
Yesterday we found juvenile female #kakapo Ongaonga on a nest on Pukenui/Anchor Island. At just under 4 years old (her hatch day is 12th Feb), she's the youngest female ever recorded nesting. Today we also found Matilda nesting - she's just 2 days older. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
Pukenui/Anchor Island looking moody recently. Male #kakapo boom to display to females from most of the high points in this picture, including the "track and bowl system" in the foreground. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
February 7, 2026 at 3:36 AM
Pukenui/Anchor Island looking moody recently. Male #kakapo boom to display to females from most of the high points in this picture, including the "track and bowl system" in the foreground. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
Our #kakapo monitoring system reported a mortality signal for male Tiwai two days ago - triggered by the transmitter not moving for 24 hours. I followed up and was relieved to find a dropped transmitter next to his bowl, rather than a dead bird. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
February 7, 2026 at 3:34 AM
Our #kakapo monitoring system reported a mortality signal for male Tiwai two days ago - triggered by the transmitter not moving for 24 hours. I followed up and was relieved to find a dropped transmitter next to his bowl, rather than a dead bird. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
Occupational hazard of #kakapo fieldwork: try not to get knocked off the rocks by fur seals during boat drop offs! #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
February 7, 2026 at 3:31 AM
Occupational hazard of #kakapo fieldwork: try not to get knocked off the rocks by fur seals during boat drop offs! #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
We checked on #kakapo Flossie on her nest on Pukenui/Anchor yesterday, and found her on 3 eggs. We'll return later to determine if they're fertile. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
February 7, 2026 at 3:30 AM
We checked on #kakapo Flossie on her nest on Pukenui/Anchor yesterday, and found her on 3 eggs. We'll return later to determine if they're fertile. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
We found a 4th egg in #kakapo Waikawa's nest yesterday and found it was fertile. Waikawa has maintained her incredible 100% fertility record: 5 clutches of 4 fertile eggs in 4 breeding seasons. That's unmatched by any other kākāpō. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
February 7, 2026 at 3:26 AM
We found a 4th egg in #kakapo Waikawa's nest yesterday and found it was fertile. Waikawa has maintained her incredible 100% fertility record: 5 clutches of 4 fertile eggs in 4 breeding seasons. That's unmatched by any other kākāpō. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
Three more #kakapo nests found on Pukenui/Anchor Island yesterday. Here's Konini with her two eggs. We have found nests for 26 out of the 36 adult females on the island, with more to come in the next few days. It's a big year! #conservation #kakapo2026 A
February 5, 2026 at 8:58 AM
Three more #kakapo nests found on Pukenui/Anchor Island yesterday. Here's Konini with her two eggs. We have found nests for 26 out of the 36 adult females on the island, with more to come in the next few days. It's a big year! #conservation #kakapo2026 A
A #kakapo "bowl" on Pukenui/Anchor Island. Males dig these shallow holes at high points, with several clustered together in a "lek", and boom at night to attract females. Kākāpō are the only lek-breeding parrot. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
February 5, 2026 at 8:56 AM
A #kakapo "bowl" on Pukenui/Anchor Island. Males dig these shallow holes at high points, with several clustered together in a "lek", and boom at night to attract females. Kākāpō are the only lek-breeding parrot. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
Female #kakapo Phoenix on her nest yesterday, with three eggs. We suspect they're infertile, but it's hard to tell yet as they're either very dirty or young. She's one of at least 24 female kākāpō on nests on Anchor Island, with 3 more nests found today! #kakapo2026 #conservation #parrots
February 4, 2026 at 8:42 AM
Female #kakapo Phoenix on her nest yesterday, with three eggs. We suspect they're infertile, but it's hard to tell yet as they're either very dirty or young. She's one of at least 24 female kākāpō on nests on Anchor Island, with 3 more nests found today! #kakapo2026 #conservation #parrots
Female #kakapo Kohengi on her three eggs on Pukenui/Anchor Island today. We don't yet know if they're fertile, but will investigate soon. So far fertility on Anchor is very high: only 8 infertile out of 33 checked. We expect many more infertile eggs though. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
February 3, 2026 at 8:54 AM
Female #kakapo Kohengi on her three eggs on Pukenui/Anchor Island today. We don't yet know if they're fertile, but will investigate soon. So far fertility on Anchor is very high: only 8 infertile out of 33 checked. We expect many more infertile eggs though. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
The latest #kakapo breeding update, from the Anchor "fridge". #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds #parrots
February 3, 2026 at 8:19 AM
The latest #kakapo breeding update, from the Anchor "fridge". #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds #parrots
Female #kakapo Atareta on her nest on Anchor two days ago. She has at least two eggs, which we'll "candle" to determine fertility in a few days' time, when the oldest is about 10 days old. The nest is huge, so it will be hard to access the eggs. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds #parrots
January 31, 2026 at 8:22 AM
Female #kakapo Atareta on her nest on Anchor two days ago. She has at least two eggs, which we'll "candle" to determine fertility in a few days' time, when the oldest is about 10 days old. The nest is huge, so it will be hard to access the eggs. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds #parrots
Checked on #kakapo Hine Taumai's nest yesterday, and surprised to find her sunbathing on her nest! Some nests are very open to the elements, so we often add waterproofing to ensure the chicks don't get too wet.
#kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
#kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
January 31, 2026 at 8:19 AM
Checked on #kakapo Hine Taumai's nest yesterday, and surprised to find her sunbathing on her nest! Some nests are very open to the elements, so we often add waterproofing to ensure the chicks don't get too wet.
#kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
#kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
A busy few days on Anchor Island for #kakapo2026. We candled 9 eggs yesterday, and all 9 were fertile! That's unusual as #kakapo infertility is usually very high. Here's Waa's nest this morning. #conservation
January 31, 2026 at 8:16 AM
A busy few days on Anchor Island for #kakapo2026. We candled 9 eggs yesterday, and all 9 were fertile! That's unusual as #kakapo infertility is usually very high. Here's Waa's nest this morning. #conservation
Working with #kakapo, this is the best thing you'll ever see. When "candling" an egg you hold your breath, hoping to see this: beautiful embryo development in a fertile egg. This is Tiwhiri's second egg, about 8 days old. About half of eggs are infertile. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
January 28, 2026 at 8:12 AM
Working with #kakapo, this is the best thing you'll ever see. When "candling" an egg you hold your breath, hoping to see this: beautiful embryo development in a fertile egg. This is Tiwhiri's second egg, about 8 days old. About half of eggs are infertile. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
Spent the night near #kakapo Tiwhiri’s nest on Anchor Island and checked it when she got off at 5am. Exciting to see 4 eggs. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
January 28, 2026 at 7:48 AM
Spent the night near #kakapo Tiwhiri’s nest on Anchor Island and checked it when she got off at 5am. Exciting to see 4 eggs. #kakapo2026 #conservation #birds
Three more #kakapo nests found on Anchor Island in the last two days: JEM (2 eggs), Yasmine (1 egg) and Marama (photo; she was protective of her 2 eggs). There are now 11 females nesting on Anchor, 6 on Whenua Hou, and some (TBC) on Chalky. #kakapo2026 #conservation #parrots
January 28, 2026 at 7:44 AM
Three more #kakapo nests found on Anchor Island in the last two days: JEM (2 eggs), Yasmine (1 egg) and Marama (photo; she was protective of her 2 eggs). There are now 11 females nesting on Anchor, 6 on Whenua Hou, and some (TBC) on Chalky. #kakapo2026 #conservation #parrots
Two more #kakapo nests found on Anchor today: Waa on 3 eggs and Hauturu (pic) on 2.
Also two matings last night:
Anchor: Konini 💚 Quill
Whenua Hou: Hera 💚 Tutoko
#conservation #kakapo2026 #birds
Also two matings last night:
Anchor: Konini 💚 Quill
Whenua Hou: Hera 💚 Tutoko
#conservation #kakapo2026 #birds
January 26, 2026 at 10:34 AM
Two more #kakapo nests found on Anchor today: Waa on 3 eggs and Hauturu (pic) on 2.
Also two matings last night:
Anchor: Konini 💚 Quill
Whenua Hou: Hera 💚 Tutoko
#conservation #kakapo2026 #birds
Also two matings last night:
Anchor: Konini 💚 Quill
Whenua Hou: Hera 💚 Tutoko
#conservation #kakapo2026 #birds
Last week no living person had seen a #kakapo lay an egg. Now you can watch it on our webcam: Rakiura laid her second today (15:01 on 25/1/2025). She'll probably lay another in 3 days' time. #conservation #kakapo2026 #birds www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/kak...
January 25, 2026 at 9:11 AM
Last week no living person had seen a #kakapo lay an egg. Now you can watch it on our webcam: Rakiura laid her second today (15:01 on 25/1/2025). She'll probably lay another in 3 days' time. #conservation #kakapo2026 #birds www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/kak...