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THE GREAT WHITE HERON

{kōtuku}

By Blackaptur Photography

December 2^nd, 2019

The white heron or kōtuku is well-loved by the New Zealand people, but it is rarely seen except by those who specifically seek it out. Its sole New Zealand breeding site near Okarito Lagoon in Westland is well-known and well-protected, but elsewhere it is 'He kōtuku rerenga tahi' or the bird of single flight, implying something seen perhaps once in a lifetime. This graceful bird has long, slender legs and a long, thin S-shaped neck, which has a distinct kink when flying.When seen in close proximity it is a magnificent bird, with its large size and clean white plumage.

I was lucky enough to stumble across this large group completely by chance - they are normally only ever sighted in pairs, as only 30 of these are believed to populate the area with around 150 in New Zealand.

The Okarito heronry has occupied essentially the same site since before its location was revealed by a surveyor in 1865. White herons have never been recorded attempting to breed anywhere else in New Zealand. Despite the risks of the entire population breeding at a single location, the colony has thrived throughout. It is well protected legally (as a nature reserve) and by predator trapping and carefully controlled visitation.