The new resident at Whangarei's Northpower Bird Recovery Centre is so rare it's the first time bird expert Robert Webb has seen one up close.
The white heron, or kotuku, rarely spotted in the North Island, seems to be enjoying Northland as it has already been released back into the wild once and returned.
After its previous release from the Bird Recovery Centre, the bird flew back to Ruakaka where it was first spotted in November. This time it was found playing on the highway.
Mr Webb plans to send the bird to Auckland Zoo as he is worried the bird is too tame and will be run over, mauled by dogs or shot with a slug gun.
"I think he must have been hand-reared because he's far too tame.
"Unfortunately his tameness will be his downfall, which is why I don't want to release him back into the wild.
"It'll be great if the zoo can take him because then the public will get to enjoy him and it'll be great education as these birds are so rare."
* KOTUKU
? The kotuku or white heron is also known as the Egretta alba modesta.
? It is a common wader in parts of Australia, the South Pacific, Asia and Japan, but rare in New Zealand.
? The NZ white heron population is about 80 breeding adults and 50-60 first and second year birds.
? To Maori the bird is a symbol of all things beautiful and rare. To compare a visitor to a kotuku was a compliment of the highest order.
Rare beauty at risk
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