Chatty Harold takes break for beak op

Mark Patterson, husbandry manager for Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park & Kiwi Encounter, with Harold the kaka.

He's cheerful and likes to chat and Harold the kaka bird is making himself quite at home at Rotorua's Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park & Kiwi Encounter.

But today he's undergoing an operation to fix his slightly-deformed beak that stops him from eating properly.

The 10-year-old parrot arrived from Wellington Zoo last year and was fast becoming a favourite with visitors, said wildlife management and care officer Mat Ronaldson.

"His parents were from the wild but he has been hand-reared so has spent a lot of time around people.

"He brings something different to Rainbow Springs. He's a character we don't have a lot of birds that will come up to you and have a chat. Our visitors absolutely love him and lots of kids are really fascinated by him," Mr Ronaldson said.

Harold will undergo a beak-trimming procedure today under anesthetic by a local vet. It is something that needs to be done every three months to correct his beak.

"His top beak is off to the side a little so it curves to the left which slows him down for eating," Mr Ronaldson said.

" ... This is the first time with us that he will have the procedure.

"He will pretty much be recovered straight away but we will be monitoring him very closely."