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
We trying to have most #kakapo chicks hatch in nests on Pukenui, so don't have many eggs in the incubators. But there are ~4 which we're incubating and will put in nests just before they hatch. The Anchor chicks are due to start hatching soon - watch this space! #kakapo2026 #conservation
February 14, 2026 at 8:45 AM
We trying to have most #kakapo chicks hatch in nests on Pukenui, so don't have many eggs in the incubators. But there are ~4 which we're incubating and will put in nests just before they hatch. The Anchor chicks are due to start hatching soon - watch this space! #kakapo2026 #conservation
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
Well spotted! How chicks would fledged from that nest is our biggest concern. If we do put chicks in we might have to build a ramp!
February 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Well spotted! How chicks would fledged from that nest is our biggest concern. If we do put chicks in we might have to build a ramp!
Yep, it took a while to work out: we expect them to be under ground, not above it! :-)
February 13, 2026 at 10:59 AM
Yep, it took a while to work out: we expect them to be under ground, not above it! :-)
Probably infertile too, but a bit early to be sure.
February 13, 2026 at 10:58 AM
Probably infertile too, but a bit early to be sure.
There's no evidence to suggest that from the data so far - but that might change as we get a bigger sample size.
February 13, 2026 at 10:56 AM
There's no evidence to suggest that from the data so far - but that might change as we get a bigger sample size.
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
Yes, we usually find that clutches are mostly all fertile or infertile; a mix is less common.
February 3, 2026 at 9:18 AM
Yes, we usually find that clutches are mostly all fertile or infertile; a mix is less common.
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
Sorry! I thought I'd posted one a couple of days ago, but can't find it. I'll fix that now....
February 3, 2026 at 8:17 AM
Sorry! I thought I'd posted one a couple of days ago, but can't find it. I'll fix that now....
Yes, Sarah Little, one of the rangers on our team does them. I don't think she's here.
February 3, 2026 at 8:16 AM
Yes, Sarah Little, one of the rangers on our team does them. I don't think she's here.