Black Stilt / Kakī

Scientific Name: Himantopus novaezelandiae

Black Stilt / Kakī Fact File

Distribution: South Island – New Zealand – Endemic

Conservation Status: Critically Endangered

Subspecies: None – Monotypic

Further Reading: Captive Breeding and Headstarting Explained

Current conservation efforts

This species, known locally as the Kakī has been the subject of intensive conservation efforts since 1981 when there were only 23 birds left in the wild. The Kakī recovery programme is run by the New Zealand Department of Conservation in partnership with the Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust in Christchurch. Numbers in 2017 were up to 106 adult birds. The key threats to the species include predators, habitat loss and human disturbance. Read more about this vital programme:

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