This rare, secretive endemic is famous for its hauntingly beautiful song. This species is a close relative of the South Island Kokako which reportedly became extinct by 2007 with the last confirmed sighting in 1967. The main causes of the decline and extinction were introduced rats, possums and stoats as well as habitat loss. Some birds were translocated to rat-free islands such as Tiritiri Matangi where they were introduced in 1998 and where they continue to survive and slowly increase under management. However the population here has only 13 breeding pairs. In 2008 the global population was 769 breeding pairs which steadily increased to 1400 pairs by 2014. As a consequence it is now listed as Near Threatened by IUCN.
The colored leg-bands visible on another photo identify this individual as "Bandit" a male who fledged in the 2013/14 nesting season. The next season 2015/16 his mate produced a chick that disappeared when 10 days old. However, their second nest attempt successfully produced one surviving male named "Tioriori." (http://www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz/kokako-on-tiri).
This is one of three extant species of Wattlebirds (Callaeidae) all endemic to New Zealand. Canon PowerShot SX50 HS.
References:
BirdLife International. 2016. Callaeas wilsoni. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T103730482A104102611. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T103730482A104102611.en. Downloaded on 14 March 2017.
Scofield, P. & Christie, D.A. (2017). North Island Kokako (Callaeas wilsoni). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/60596 on 14 March 2017).
Higgins,P.J.; Peter, J.M.; Cowling, S.J. (eds.) 2006. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic birds. Vol. 7, boatbill to starlings. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
Innes, J. 2013 [updated 2017]. North Island kokako. In Miskelly, C.M. (ed.) New Zealand Birds Online. ww.nzbirdsonline.org.nz