Koekoeā
Long-tailed cuckoo
Eudynamys taitensis
Their Story
Koekoeā, or long-tailed cuckoo (Eudynamys taitensis), is a mysterious and seldom-seen forest bird native to Aotearoa. Mostly insectivorous, koekoeā can also be fierce predators, occasionally taking small vertebrates such as rifleman (tītipounamu, Acanthisitta chloris) nestlings.
They are difficult to observe closely, but in flight the long tail — almost equal in length to the body — makes them unmistakable. Their flight silhouette may resemble that of a falcon, but their harsh, piercing zzhweeep call sets them apart.
Koekoeā have one of the most remarkable life histories of any New Zealand bird. Along with their close relative, the pīpīwharauroa (shining cuckoo, Chrysococcyx lucidus), they are the only migratory forest birds in Aotearoa. Each year they undertake extraordinary trans-oceanic journeys, travelling up to 6,500 km to overwinter across an arc of Pacific islands stretching from Palau (Micronesia) in the west to Henderson Island (Pitcairn group) in the east — a range of more than 11,000 km.
They return to New Zealand in spring to breed from October, making koekoeā endemic breeders — unlike the shining cuckoo, which breeds elsewhere as well. Like other cuckoos, koekoeā are brood parasites: they lay a single egg in the nest of a host species such as pīpipi (brown creeper, Mohoua novaeseelandiae), pōpokotea (whitehead, Mohoua albicilla) in the North Island, or mōhua (Mohoua ochrocephala) in the South Island. The unsuspecting host then incubates the egg and raises the chick as its own.
Despite their striking migrations and fascinating breeding behaviour, koekoeā remain one of New Zealand’s least studied birds. Many aspects of their breeding ecology, including nest and chick development, are still poorly understood.
Koekoeā have never been recorded within the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, but there has been at least one recent sighting in the wider Nelson area. Reintroducing threatened mōhua to the Sanctuary could one day create the opportunity for koekoeā to return as well.
Recent call-count data show a worrying decline, leading to their threat status being upgraded from “At Risk – Naturally Uncommon” to “Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable.” Their main threat is the decline of their host species — particularly mōhua, which once thrived throughout the South Island but now survive only in a few isolated populations.
Conservation Status
Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable
Numbers are declining, largely due to the loss of key host species such as mōhua.
Population
No precise population estimates exist. Still present across both main islands but at lower densities, particularly in areas where host species have declined.
Voice
A harsh, loud, and piercing zzhweeep call, often repeated and carrying over long distances.
Food
Feeds mainly on insects and other invertebrates, but will also take small vertebrates, including nestling rifleman.
Koekoeā are brown above with streaked underparts and a pale face. Their long tail — nearly as long as their body. Their loud, shrieking calls carry through native forests, during spring summer months.
Primarily insectivorous, koekoeā feed on large insects such as beetles, wētā, and caterpillars, and occasionally take small vertebrates, including nestlings and lizards.
Koekoeā are brood parasites, meaning they lay their eggs in the nests of pīpipi (brown creeper), pōpokotea (whitehead), and mōhua (yellowhead). The unsuspecting host incubates the egg and raises the chick as its own. Breeding occurs from October to March, after the birds return from their annual migration from the Pacific Islands.
Breeding only in Aotearoa, koekoeā migrate annually across the South Pacific, overwintering on islands from Palau to Henderson Island — a journey of up to 6,500 km each way.
Koekoeā are classified as Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable. The main threat is the decline of their host species, particularly mōhua, which was once abundant throughout the South Island but now survives in a few isolated populations.
Koekoeā have been seen and heard at the Sanctuary, however the absence of their hosts prohibits them from breeding here. The future reintroduction of mōhua and the recolonisation of pīpipi could allow them to increase at the Sanctuary.
🪶 koekoā were once sighted in large swarms, often hunting huge numbers of cicadas found in summer.
Our other residents
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Win prizes for your best summer photo at the Sanctuary 📸🏆☀️
This season, we want to see the Sanctuary through your lens — the bright light through the canopy, the textures of the forest floor, and the tiny details that make summer feel alive.
Enter our Summer Photography Competition (part of our Sanctuary Seasons series) and you could win:
🏆 Instant camera (Junior Photography winner)
🌙 Family ticket to a guided night tour
📰 Feature in our newsletter + social media
🖼️ Printed display at the Visitor Centre
📅 Entries close 28 February - Submit your entries via our website: Link in bio
Photo credit: Helen Power - Entry from the spring photography competition
#BrookWaimāramaSanctuary #SanctuarySeasons #Ngahere #NaturePhotography #NZWildlife #NelsonTasman #VisitNelson #NZHikes #EcoTourismNZ #ConservationStorytelling
Feb 4
Looking for a unique and memorable date night? 🌙🌲
This February, we’re introducing Date Me Darling — private, curated date nights inside the Sanctuary at dusk.
Three styled locations. One couple at a time. You’ll have a styled spot along the main loop track, locally sourced food and drinks, a few games to share, and time to slow down together as the forest shifts into evening.
Beech Glade: for when you want the world to fall away — deeply hidden, totally private, just you and the hush of the forest.
River: crystal clear water, canopy above, flickering lights — the kind of setup you usually only see on Instagram.
Meadow: open sky, long grass, and the forest standing quietly at the edges like it knows not to interrupt.
Bookings are open now (limited spaces in February only so don’t miss out!): Link in bio
#DateMeDarling #NelsonNZ #NelsonTasman #ThingsToDoNelson #DateNightIdeas #NatureLovers #SupportLocalNZ #ConservationNZ #BrookWaimāramaSanctuary
Feb 3
Two cute to be true?
Brook Waimārama Sanctuary and @savethekiwinz teams have been busy over the past few days tracking and recapturing kiwi to remove their transmitters. Thanks to a huge team effort, all ten males were recaptured within just three days.
Some nest burrows held a surprise or two — in several cases a female was present, and a couple even contained chicks. One burrow amazed us all, with not one but two adorable chicks 😍
All chicks are fully independent at this stage of the season, and after quick health checks and transmitter removal, all adult kiwi were safely returned to their burrows.
This special footage was captured by kiwi handler Tamsin from Save the Kiwi, who led the transmitter removal mahi.
We estimate the 20 females and 21 males released in May last year have already produced around 10–15 kiwi pukupuku (little spotted kiwi) chicks in their very first breeding season — a strong sign the habitat is just right.
With transmitters now removed from all ten males, the kiwi are completely free, with no further handling needed. Annual kiwi call counts by staff and volunteers will help track the growing population across our 690 ha, ring-fenced, pest-free sanctuary.
Credit: Video courtesy of Tamsin Ward-Smith, Save the Kiwi
Thanks to our partnership with @terunangaotoa Ngati Toa and Save the Kiwi
#kiwipukupuku #littlespottedkiwi #brookwaimaramasanctuary #nelson #thetopofthesouth #conservation #biodiversity #nativebirds #natureloversnz #newzealandwildlife #pestfree #ringfencedsanctuary #conservationinaction
Jan 29
🎻 45 min string quartet concert at Brook Waimārama Sanctuary
Come and hear a dynamic young string quartet perform a 45 min concert at Brook Waimārama Sanctuary. We welcome everyone to come along, and bring anyone you think might be curious to hear some classical music in a relaxed environment.
The @antipodes.quartet is part of the Fellowship Ensemble Programme, a joint venture between the @adamchambermusicfestival, @newzealandstringquartet and @chambermusicnz, as a career-development experience offered to four of this country’s most promising young string players.
The Antipodes Quartet are Eden Annesley (violin), Mana Waiariki (violin), Tal Amoore (viola) and Lavinnia Rae (cello).
On this occasion, Brook Waimārama Sanctuary are welcoming everyone at local prices: Adult $15, Child $9; Family $35 (on the door)
Find out more: (Link in bio)
#BrookWaimāramaSanctuary #NelsonNZ #Whakatū #WhatsonNelson #NelsonTasman #LiveMusicNZ #ChamberMusicNZ #StringQuartet #ClassicalMusicNZ #AdamChamberMusicFestival #NewZealandStringQuartet #ChamberMusicNewZealand #FamilyFriendly #NatureAndCulture #SupportLocalArts
Jan 27
2026 Bug of the year is here!
The lesser known cousin to bird of the year has come around(wait till they hear about fish or fungus of the year). This showdown aims to highlight the critters that go underappreciated compared to celebrity species like kākāpō. We would like to highlight the strange and wonderful species that occur within the Sanctuary, with the hopes to earn your vote!
Kahuwai | Black Tunnelweb Spider
Porrhothele antipodiana
I have a mixed history with this incredible spider. One hairy individual decided that my jersey pocket was a great place to set up shop. It received a rude awakening upon the home invasion of my unaware hand. Its brilliant fangs pierced and invenomated my finger, and despite the swelling and the shock and the pain… I couldn’t help but feel bad for evicting the guy. Its hobbit-like hole dwelling nature led the spider to my soft, warm pocket. Ironically, but not surprisingly, this species was the inspiration for Peter Jackson’s ‘Shelob’ in the Lord of the Rings films.
Kahuwai, the black tunnelweb spider, forms dense sheets of silk surrounding their tunnels. These sheets are monitored by the spider, who detects vibrations of a passer by. Wētā, land hoppers and any other unlucky invertebrate. The kahuwai swiftly grabs its prey and drags it into the depths. This spider however is also the victim of the endemic golden hunter wasp, who paralyses the spider before dragging it into the wasp’s nest (talk about shoes on the other foot!) and laying an egg beside it. The spider then becomes baby formula.
Despite the bite, this amazing spider has my vote! Check out the New Zealand Bug Of the Year 2026 website! Voting closes on the 16th of February!
Photo: @henry._.hart (in the second image of Shelob`s lair you can see a giant pill millipede has fallen victim...)
#BrookWaimāramaSanctuary #BugOfTheYear
Jan 25
2026 Bug of the year is here!
The lesser known cousin to bird of the year has come around(wait till they hear about fish or fungus of the year). This showdown aims to highlight the critters that go underappreciated compared to celebrity species like kākāpō. We would like to highlight the strange and wonderful species that occur within the Sanctuary, with the hopes to earn your vote!
This candidate is the beautifully disguised Rō, the Two-Spined Stick Insect. Micrachus hystriculeus is endemic to central Aotearoa, most common from Nelson, through Marlborough and Wellington. Stick insects display a classic example of crypsis. That is, their behaviour and physiology work in tandem to remain completely undetected and unharmed. They feed on leaves high in the canopy of trees like kānuka. At night you can often spot them, usually with the small males riding on the backs of the much larger females.
All modern New Zealand stick insects are the relatives of two colonisation events from New Caledonia around 30 million years ago. They radiated into nine separate genera and dispersed into coastal, lowland and subalpine ecosystems throughout the motu. This species, alongside at least five other stick insect species, live out their slow and sticky lives within the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary.
Will you vote for Micrachus hystriculeus? Check out the New Zealand Bug Of the Year 2026 website! Voting closes on the 16th of February!
Stay tuned for our last candidate…
Photo: Saryu Mae - @invertebratist
#BrookWaimāramaSanctuary #BugOfTheYear
Jan 24
