As a useful tool for grounding the original kākāriki karaka during the reintroduction in 2021 - 2023, auto-feeders were emplaced to distribute sunflower seed up to four times daily. Most have since been removed, but there is some benefit in keeping a feeder active, for two main reasons. When the females stop using the feeder in spring it suggests that nesting has begun (the females will be on nests). Also, the life-expectancy of this species in original beech forest is not known, and continued monitoring of the translocated birds via the trail-camera (until none remain) will allow a calculation of life expectancy. This is likely to require monitoring for quite a few years to come. It's not essential data, but is on the 'nice to have' list. The feeders are used mostly by translocated birds (with leg bands) and a few unbanded birds who developed a sunflower-seed habit. The feeder is not essential, we could remove it tomorrow with no adverse consequences for any of the birds, but some of them like a daily (or weekly, or less) snack on sunflower seed out of habit.
Anyway, the feeder is a good place to watch our birds... feeding. 😊 Here's a sequence with one of our Sanctuary-born birds snacking on sunflower seed and using his claw in the same way a primate would use a hand.
He takes a whole sunflower seed.
Then he cracks it.
I missed the next shot with the husk dropping off the edge. Now he's got the edible part of the seed in his beak ready to grab the bottom half while he bites off the top half.
He firmly holds half the seed in his hand - I mean claw - while taking the first bite. Reminds me of a primate (monkey, or human etc) eating a banana.
He's dropped a bit. It may drop on the ground and be eaten by something else (mice probably) or if it's dropped on the tray then it'll be eaten by himself (or another kākāriki karaka) or a finch.
Looks like he's finished that mouthful. Ready for the other half.
He grabs the other half with his beak and eats it.
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