Dunedin joins the Great Kererū Count

With their large bodies, tiny heads and white singlets — we all know the “whoosh-whoosh” of kererū wings overhead (and the crash of branches that often follows). This year, City Sanctuary is supporting the Great Kererū Count (18th – 27th September) by asking people to report how many kererū are (or aren’t) visiting their neighbourhoods. 

Photo by Tony Stoddard (Kererū Discovery).

There’s a serious side to these strange birds — kererū are the only native bird left in New Zealand with a beak large enough to swallow and disperse seeds from some of our largest native plants (like tawa, taraire, pūriri and matai). They’re also a good indicator of how community-led predator control is helping native wildlife and ecosystems.

Last year, 314 people counted 894 kererū meaning Dunedin can say it has 6.84 kererū per 1,000 humans! This year, we hope to see more people participate in both timed surveys and one-off observations.

How to join the Great Kererū Count:

• Do a timed survey. Choose your favourite spot in the neighbourhood and set a timer for as long as you like. Write down how many kererū you see (or don’t see) and report it using iNaturalist NZ (inaturalist.nz).

• Report every kererū you see on the Great Kererū Count website (greatkererucount.nz). 

For more information and details on how to take part, visit citysanctuary.nz/great-kereru-count