Birds change island to boost breeding

The Department of Conservation has shifted 30 of the rarest native birds between pest-free islands to try to enhance their breeding.

DoC kakapo recovery team leader Paul Jansen said 30 kakapo had been moved between Whenua Hou (Codfish Island), near Stewart Island, and Te Kakahu (Chalky Island), off the coast of Fiordland.

One additional young female kakapo was found dead after being transferred.

Mr Jansen said the move was to provide the giant 4kg ground-dwelling parrots with a change of environment and more space.

It was hoped these changes would increase the breeding success of the birds - the world's largest parrots - of which only 85 remain.