Do colour morph Kaka still exist?

[NoahF]

I was reading an NZ geo article on colour morphs in NZ's wildlife recently, which included kaka and how there were various colour morphs collected in Victorian times. Apparently collectors targeted the more colourful birds, and with introduced predators, the article states that kaka colour morphs are virtually non-existent these days. Surely, colour morphs have increased again in frequency following the protection of the species and with predator control? Has anyone on here seen yellow, red, white, orange etc. kaka before? I am aware of a dark red kaka in Wellington, anyone know what happened to that bird too?

Link to the article: https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/colour-morphs/

Cheers

[sm1979]

Not sure about Kaka, but a yellow Kea was seen and photographed in recent years.

[Oscar Thomas]

https://m.facebook.com/Zealandia/posts/ ... 5199256401

[psychokiwi]

Yes they do. At Zealandia, we have a red colour morph (though she hasn't been seen for a couple of years). Recently her mother (approx 20 years old) started changing colour too. We also have a subpopulation that has yellow tummy feathers, though that usually is lost within the first year. You can read more about some of these characters at:
https://www.artbyjlm.com/blog/the-peculiar-case-of-the-pink-lady
https://www.artbyjlm.com/blog/the-kaka-kura

Cheers,

Judi

[ZionCooper]

I have spotted Kaka at Zealandia with a few odd patches of yellow feathers on their stomachs.