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
Stoked that the Kākāpō Files from Radio NZ will be back this summer. Follow to hear how this #kakapo breeding season - likely to be the biggest ever - unfolds! #conservation
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
November 18, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Stoked that the Kākāpō Files from Radio NZ will be back this summer. Follow to hear how this #kakapo breeding season - likely to be the biggest ever - unfolds! #conservation
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
Great to be on Whenua Hou last week, helping attach GPS tags to #kakapo ahead of the breeding season. We caught up with Rakiura - whom we're hoping will use the same nest for the 7th time. That's unusual - kākāpō normally don't re-use nests. #conservation #parrots
November 16, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Great to be on Whenua Hou last week, helping attach GPS tags to #kakapo ahead of the breeding season. We caught up with Rakiura - whom we're hoping will use the same nest for the 7th time. That's unusual - kākāpō normally don't re-use nests. #conservation #parrots
Looking for a different gift idea this year? How about a #kakapo adoption? Adoptions are open again until 25th Nov, with postage or email options. These fund a significant proportion of our programme and make a real difference to the #conservation work we do. Thanks! www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/kak...
Adopt a kākāpō
Kākāpō adoptions are a special way to support the conservation of this taonga species. You can adopt a kākāpō for yourself or as a gift.
www.doc.govt.nz
November 4, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Looking for a different gift idea this year? How about a #kakapo adoption? Adoptions are open again until 25th Nov, with postage or email options. These fund a significant proportion of our programme and make a real difference to the #conservation work we do. Thanks! www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/kak...
We're not feeding #kakapo on Anchor Island this year: with a big rimu mast predicted, we're expecting them not to need help. It's also part of our plan to reduce management intensity. #conservation #parrots
October 21, 2025 at 7:22 AM
We're not feeding #kakapo on Anchor Island this year: with a big rimu mast predicted, we're expecting them not to need help. It's also part of our plan to reduce management intensity. #conservation #parrots
#kakapo breeding starts with the feeding. For the last month we've been putting out food on Whenua Hou to get the adults into breeding condition. We need the males fat enough to boom and the females heavy enough to produce eggs (although not too hefty or their chicks will all be males). #parrots
October 21, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Sad to report that we've lost another #kakapo, and a particularly significant one. Solstice was the last kākāpō rediscovered, found on Rakiura in 1997. She died on the weekend as a result of complications from the #disease cloacitis. There are now 237 kākāpō left. #conservation #parrots #birds
October 2, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Sad to report that we've lost another #kakapo, and a particularly significant one. Solstice was the last kākāpō rediscovered, found on Rakiura in 1997. She died on the weekend as a result of complications from the #disease cloacitis. There are now 237 kākāpō left. #conservation #parrots #birds
We’re getting ready for a very large #kakapo breeding season this summer - and hoping avian influenza doesn’t arrive at the same time… 🤞🏻 #conservation #birds #parrots #disease
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Saving the world’s fattest parrot: can we vaccinate our rarest species before bird flu gets to them?
Trial in only continent untouched by avian flu suggests jabs will be key to survival as migration season approaches
www.theguardian.com
September 2, 2025 at 11:51 PM
We’re getting ready for a very large #kakapo breeding season this summer - and hoping avian influenza doesn’t arrive at the same time… 🤞🏻 #conservation #birds #parrots #disease
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
The #kakapo population has dropped to 238. Adult female Lisa was found dead on Anchor Island recently, and two of the 2019 cohort, Tūmanako and Whakakini, have not been since since then and so have been removed from the official count. #conservation #parrots #birds
August 24, 2025 at 8:44 AM
The #kakapo population has dropped to 238. Adult female Lisa was found dead on Anchor Island recently, and two of the 2019 cohort, Tūmanako and Whakakini, have not been since since then and so have been removed from the official count. #conservation #parrots #birds
This is one of the best shows about #kakapo I've ever heard. Well worth 20 mins of your time. Lots of kākāpō facts and endearingly entertaining. Well done Henry! #conservation
podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/e...
podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/e...
Episode 4 — Kākāpō and Aardvarks
Podcast Episode · Inside Henry's Head · 01/08/2025 · 26m
https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/episode-4-kākāpō-and-aardvarks/id1778990665?i=1000720220264
August 7, 2025 at 8:04 AM
This is one of the best shows about #kakapo I've ever heard. Well worth 20 mins of your time. Lots of kākāpō facts and endearingly entertaining. Well done Henry! #conservation
podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/e...
podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/e...
Huge news! Having spent a while studying #kiwi pukupuku, this got me very excited. Finding a remnant mainland population of LSK is probably more significant than finding more #kakapo. Huge respect to those involved and particularly the hunter who found them.
www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-r...
www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-r...
Shock kiwi rediscovery delights conservation world
Kiwi pukupuku/little spotted kiwi have been rediscovered in the wild on mainland Aotearoa for the first time in 50 years, shocking and delighting conservationists.
www.doc.govt.nz
July 25, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Huge news! Having spent a while studying #kiwi pukupuku, this got me very excited. Finding a remnant mainland population of LSK is probably more significant than finding more #kakapo. Huge respect to those involved and particularly the hunter who found them.
www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-r...
www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-r...
We've lost female #kakapo Kuihi, who was euthanised at Dunedin Wildlife Hospital following weight loss and diagnosis of severe abdominal abnormalities. A reliable (foster) mother, she'll be sorely missed, especially in breeding seasons. There are 241 kākāpō left. #conservation #parrots
July 25, 2025 at 6:20 AM
We've lost female #kakapo Kuihi, who was euthanised at Dunedin Wildlife Hospital following weight loss and diagnosis of severe abdominal abnormalities. A reliable (foster) mother, she'll be sorely missed, especially in breeding seasons. There are 241 kākāpō left. #conservation #parrots
Next stop, #kakapo! We’re also working with @dnature.bsky.social to use qPCR in the upcoming 2026 kākāpō breeding season. We’re hoping to use a simple bill swab to sex chicks at a very young age on the islands, so we can prioritise their care as soon as possible. #conservation #genetics
July 16, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Next stop, #kakapo! We’re also working with @dnature.bsky.social to use qPCR in the upcoming 2026 kākāpō breeding season. We’re hoping to use a simple bill swab to sex chicks at a very young age on the islands, so we can prioritise their care as soon as possible. #conservation #genetics
Knowing the sex of #takahe chicks as soon as possible is important for efficient breeding management. With a new rapid #qPCR sex test developed by @dnature.bsky.social , we can now determine the sex of up to 48 chicks in less an hour in the field. A game changer! #conservation #genetics
July 16, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Knowing the sex of #takahe chicks as soon as possible is important for efficient breeding management. With a new rapid #qPCR sex test developed by @dnature.bsky.social , we can now determine the sex of up to 48 chicks in less an hour in the field. A game changer! #conservation #genetics
Our team have been working hard changing transmitters on all ~90 #kakapo on Whenua Hou, including Vori. Catching kākāpō can be tricky - especially since they often roost up trees. #conservation #parrots Pic: Maddy WhittakerA
July 14, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Our team have been working hard changing transmitters on all ~90 #kakapo on Whenua Hou, including Vori. Catching kākāpō can be tricky - especially since they often roost up trees. #conservation #parrots Pic: Maddy WhittakerA
At their current sites, #kakapo only breed in response to rimu 'masting' (mass-fruiting), which only happens every 2-4 years. The ripe fruit is a 'super food', rich in calcium (and perhaps vitamin D) necessary to raise chicks with large, heavy bones. #conservation #parrots
June 30, 2025 at 7:20 AM
At their current sites, #kakapo only breed in response to rimu 'masting' (mass-fruiting), which only happens every 2-4 years. The ripe fruit is a 'super food', rich in calcium (and perhaps vitamin D) necessary to raise chicks with large, heavy bones. #conservation #parrots
How do we know that #kakapo will breed next year? Each autumn, we inspect rimu trees: if more than 10% of branchlets are developing fruit, then there'll be a rimu 'mast' and kākāpō will nest. This year the counts are the highest we've ever seen, which means most females should breed. #conservation
June 30, 2025 at 7:15 AM
How do we know that #kakapo will breed next year? Each autumn, we inspect rimu trees: if more than 10% of branchlets are developing fruit, then there'll be a rimu 'mast' and kākāpō will nest. This year the counts are the highest we've ever seen, which means most females should breed. #conservation
It's that time again! After a 4 year wait, we're predicting a big #kakapo breeding season this coming summer (early 2026). It's an exciting opportunity for us to reduce the intensity of our #conservation management methods. Read more here: blog.doc.govt.nz/2025/06/27/k... #parrots #birds
June 30, 2025 at 7:07 AM
It's that time again! After a 4 year wait, we're predicting a big #kakapo breeding season this coming summer (early 2026). It's an exciting opportunity for us to reduce the intensity of our #conservation management methods. Read more here: blog.doc.govt.nz/2025/06/27/k... #parrots #birds
You can't see me, right?! Our ranger team are currently on Whenua Hou changing transmitters on the #kakapo population. This used to be an annual job, but will be less frequent now due to new #technology. This great photo of Rakiura was taken by ranger Maddy Whittaker. #conservation #parrots
June 30, 2025 at 2:55 AM
You can't see me, right?! Our ranger team are currently on Whenua Hou changing transmitters on the #kakapo population. This used to be an annual job, but will be less frequent now due to new #technology. This great photo of Rakiura was taken by ranger Maddy Whittaker. #conservation #parrots
We attempt artificial insemination in #kakapo mainly to maintain genetic diversity. A new study describes how in 2019, with a team of German experts from @jlugiessen.bsky.social, we were successful for the first time in a decade. #conservation #parrots dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
June 17, 2025 at 8:29 AM
We attempt artificial insemination in #kakapo mainly to maintain genetic diversity. A new study describes how in 2019, with a team of German experts from @jlugiessen.bsky.social, we were successful for the first time in a decade. #conservation #parrots dx.plos.org/10.1371/jour...
The #disease cloacitis has affected at least 47 #kakapo over the last 20 yrs, so finding a cause is a high priority. A new study led by @rebeccakfrench.bsky.social & @jemmageoghegan.bsky.social has found that a strain of E. coli might be responsible. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
June 15, 2025 at 7:11 AM
The #disease cloacitis has affected at least 47 #kakapo over the last 20 yrs, so finding a cause is a high priority. A new study led by @rebeccakfrench.bsky.social & @jemmageoghegan.bsky.social has found that a strain of E. coli might be responsible. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
There are only 242 #kakapo today, but they were once one of #NZ's most common birds and lived in all mainland forests. Lessons from fossils in a new study by @manaakiwhenua.bsky.social can help us find new habitat. #conservation www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277379125001076 📸 S.Latimer
June 11, 2025 at 9:28 AM
There are only 242 #kakapo today, but they were once one of #NZ's most common birds and lived in all mainland forests. Lessons from fossils in a new study by @manaakiwhenua.bsky.social can help us find new habitat. #conservation www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277379125001076 📸 S.Latimer
We're delighted that Daryl Eason, our team's guru who's worked with #kakapo and #takahe for 30+ years, has been recognised for his huge contribution to #NZ #conservation. It's very richly deserved: both species owe so much to his efforts. Ka rawe Daryl!
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3607...
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3607...
June 2, 2025 at 9:22 AM
We're delighted that Daryl Eason, our team's guru who's worked with #kakapo and #takahe for 30+ years, has been recognised for his huge contribution to #NZ #conservation. It's very richly deserved: both species owe so much to his efforts. Ka rawe Daryl!
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3607...
www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3607...
Great to be back on Anchor Island in Fiordland for a brief visit. The rimu is looking good: with record fruit counts we’re gearing up for a big 2026 for #kakapo! #conservation #parrots
May 21, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Great to be back on Anchor Island in Fiordland for a brief visit. The rimu is looking good: with record fruit counts we’re gearing up for a big 2026 for #kakapo! #conservation #parrots
Just spent two days trapping on beautiful Cooper Island in Dusky Sound in Fiordland #NZ. Great project led by RealNZ to restore the island’s biodiversity. Maybe one day there’ll be #kiwi and #kakapo here again. #conservation
May 21, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Just spent two days trapping on beautiful Cooper Island in Dusky Sound in Fiordland #NZ. Great project led by RealNZ to restore the island’s biodiversity. Maybe one day there’ll be #kiwi and #kakapo here again. #conservation
Conflict between threatened species is a good problem to have... #conservation #takahe #rails
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
DOC ranger snaps rare footage of tuatara and takahē 'having a scrap'
While the takahē started the rough stuff the tuatara "got a couple of bites in" during the bush-floor stoush.
www.rnz.co.nz
May 16, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Conflict between threatened species is a good problem to have... #conservation #takahe #rails
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/nationa...