Species
Our aim is to protect the native flora and fauna species by removing the threat caused by the pest species. As we learn more about this amazing area and the species that dwell there, we will continue to update these pages.
Rotoehu Forest and Rotoehu Forest West are home to the following species.
The Trust actively uses iNaturalist to record species observed within the Rotoehu Forest and Rotoehu Forest West management areas.
Observations can be viewed on the iNaturalist website
🐦 Key Native Bird Species in Rotoehu Forest
North Island Kōkako (Callaeas wilsoni)
- Endemic to New Zealand, the North Island kōkako is known for its haunting, organ-like song.
- A forest-dwelling bird with a distinctive blue wattled face and a black mask.
- Conservation efforts are focused on protecting this at-risk species.
Tūī (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae)
- A medium-sized bird with iridescent plumage and a white throat tuft.
- Renowned for complex vocalizations and mimicry abilities.
- Plays a vital role in pollinating native plants.
Korimako / New Zealand Bellbird (Anthornis melanura)
- Has olive-green plumage and a bell-like song.
- Bellbirds are essential pollinators for native flora.
Pōpokotea / Whitehead (Mohoua albicilla)
- A small, insectivorous bird with a white head and underparts.
- Often seen in flocks and contributes to insect population control.
Pīwakawaka / New Zealand Fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa)
- A small bird with a fan-shaped tail and agile flight.
- Feeds on insects and often follows humans to catch bugs disturbed by movement.
Koekoea / Long-tailed Cuckoo (Eudynamys taitensis)
- A migratory bird that breeds in New Zealand and winters in the Pacific Islands.
- A brood parasite, laying its eggs in the nests of whitehead
Tititipounamu / Rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris)
- New Zealand’s smallest bird, measuring around 8 cm.
- Insectivorous and often seen foraging on tree trunks.
- Rotoehu Ecological Trust is actively searching and looking to protect this potentially significant population for the Bay of Plenty area.
Pipiwharauroa / Shining Cuckoo (Chrysococcyx lucidus)
- A small, migratory cuckoo with iridescent green plumage.
- Like the long-tailed cuckoo, it is a brood parasite or grey warbler.
Miromiro / Tomtit (Petroica macrocephala)
- A small bird with a black head and white underparts, commonly found in forests.
- Feeds on insects and is often seen perching on low branches.
Kererū (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae)
- Also known as the New Zealand pigeon, it has iridescent green plumage and a white underbelly.
- Plays a key role in seed dispersal for large-fruited native trees.
Toutouwai / North Island Robin (Petroica longipes)
- A friendly, inquisitive bird with grey-brown plumage.
- Known for its curiosity and proximity to humans.
Ruru / Morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae)
- New Zealand’s only surviving native owl, known for its “more-pork” call.
- Nocturnal and feeds on insects and small vertebrates.
Tauhou / Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis)
- A small bird with olive-green plumage and a white eye-ring.
- Feeds on insects, nectar, and fruit.
Kārearea / New Zealand Falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae)
- A powerful bird of prey endemic to New Zealand, known for its agility and speed.
- Preys on birds and insects and is a key apex predator in forest ecosystems.
Grey Warbler (Gerygone igata)
- A tiny, olive-grey bird with a sweet, high-pitched song.
- Known for its role as a host species for the parasitic shining cuckoo.
Kahu / Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans)
- A large, majestic bird of prey often seen gliding over open areas.
- Plays a critical role as a scavenger and predator, helping maintain ecological balance.
These bird species highlight the ecological importance of Rotoehu Forest and its role in supporting New Zealand’s native biodiversity. Each species contributes uniquely to the health and vitality of this rich habitat.
🦇 Native Mammals of Rotoehu Forest
Long-Tailed Bat (Chalinolobus tuberculatus)
- Status: Threatened
- A small insectivorous bat that forages in forests, over water, and around forest edges.
- Plays a key role in controlling insect populations, contributing to forest health.
- Active mostly at night, roosting during the day in hollow trees or under loose bark.
Lesser Short-Tailed Bat (Mystacina tuberculata)
- Status: Threatened
- One of the most unique bat species in the world, it forages on the forest floor and in trees.
- Feeds on nectar, fruit, and insects, acting as a pollinator for native plants like kohekohe and rewarewa.
- Prefers old-growth forests with abundant roosting sites such as hollow trees.
Bats are an integral part of New Zealand’s ecosystems. They help maintain biodiversity and forest health. Rotoehu Ecological Trust is actively monitoring for bats using advanced acoustic tools.
🌿 Key Native Plant Species in Rotoehu Forest
The following are notable native plant species that form the rich tapestry of Rotoehu Forest’s ecosystem, supporting the kōkako and other wildlife:
Rimu (Dacrydium cupressinum)
- A towering conifer with drooping foliage, essential for native birds such as kererū.
- Produces seeds that are an important seasonal food source for forest wildlife.
Miro (Prumnopitys ferruginea)
- A slow-growing conifer that bears fleshy red fruit, highly favored by native birds.
- Common in lowland and montane forests.
Tawa (Beilschmiedia tawa)
- A dominant canopy tree in lowland forests with small purple fruits eaten by birds like kererū.
- Plays a key role in forest regeneration.
Pūriri (Vitex lucens)
- A broadleaf tree with distinctive large, glossy leaves and pink flowers.
- Produces year-round fruit, which is a vital food source for birds.
Clematis (Clematis paniculata)
- A vigorous climber with showy, star-like white flowers in spring.
- Enhances the aesthetic and ecological diversity of the forest.
Koromiko (Hebe stricta)
- A shrub with elongated leaves and delicate purple or white flowers.
- Known for its traditional medicinal uses by Māori.
Kohekohe (Dysoxylum spectabile)
- A tall tree with sweet-smelling flowers that grow directly on its trunk (cauliflory).
- Provides nectar for birds and insects during winter when food is scarce.
- Makes up part of the Rotoehu Ecological Trust logo.
Rewarewa (Knightia excelsa)
- A striking tree with red brush-like flowers, often called the “New Zealand honeysuckle.”
- A favorite nectar source for birds like tui and bellbirds.
Māhoe / Whiteywood (Melicytus ramiflorus)
- A common understory tree with purple berries eaten by native birds.
- Known for its pale bark and soft wood.
Tree Ferns
- Includes species like ponga (Cyathea dealbata) and mamaku (Cyathea medullaris).
- Provide shelter and habitat for native fauna, and their fronds enrich the forest floor.
Kawakawa (Piper excelsum)
- A small tree with heart-shaped leaves, often found along forest edges.
- Leaves are traditionally used for medicinal purposes by Māori.
Rātā (Metrosideros spp.)
- Includes both tree and climbing varieties, with vibrant red flowers that provide nectar for birds.
- Often parasitic, rātā add structural complexity to forests.
Five Finger (Pseudopanax arboreus)
- A hardy shrub with clusters of shiny leaves and small berries enjoyed by birds.
- Common in disturbed and regenerating forests.
Bush Lawyer (Rubus spp.)
- A climbing shrub with hooked thorns that “grab” onto surrounding plants.
- Produces small, edible berries that birds feed on.
Supplejack (Ripogonum scandens)
- A robust climbing vine that weaves through the forest canopy.
- Its fruits provide food for birds, while its tangled stems offer shelter to insects and reptiles.
Nikau Palm (Rhopalostylis sapida)
- New Zealand’s only native palm, adding a tropical touch to the forest.
These species collectively form the foundation of the Rotoehu Forest ecosystem. By supporting biodiversity and sustaining native wildlife, they highlight the importance of conservation efforts within the forest. Each species contributes uniquely to the health and vitality of this precious habitat.
🐾 Key Pest Animals Threatening Rotoehu Forest
The North Island Kōkako faces multiple threats from invasive species that harm both the birds directly and the forest ecosystem they depend on. Each of the following species contributes to the challenges faced by kōkako and their habitat:
Possums
- Competition for Food: Possums consume fruits, flowers, and leaves, directly competing with kōkako for key food sources such as native berries and nectar.
- Forest Degradation: By browsing heavily on native trees, possums damage mature forest canopies and prevent the growth of seedlings, reducing food availability and shelter for kōkako over time.
- Direct Predation: Possums are notorious for eating adults, kōkako eggs and chicks, significantly reducing their breeding success.
Wallabies
Destruction of Understory Vegetation: Wallabies feed on young seedlings and saplings, effectively halting the regeneration of native forests. This leads to a loss of critical habitat for kōkako and other native species.
Ecosystem Imbalance: The over-browsing of vegetation disrupts the balance of the forest, affecting species dependent on diverse plant communities.
Ship Rats
- Direct Predation: Ship rats are notorious for eating adults, kōkako eggs and chicks, significantly reducing their breeding success.
- Competition for Food: Rats consume fruits and seeds that kōkako rely on, intensifying food scarcity.
Stoats, Ferrets, and Weasels
- Efficient Predators: These mustelids are agile hunters that prey on kōkako adults, chicks, and eggs. Their presence can devastate kōkako populations, especially during the nesting season.
Feral Cats
- Direct Threats: Feral cats pose a severe risk to kōkako by preying on adults, chicks, and eggs. Their hunting capabilities make them one of the most dangerous predators to kōkako populations.
Deer
- Browsing Impact: Deer feed on native shrubs and seedlings, preventing forest regeneration and diminishing the kōkako’s habitat.
- Food Competition: The depletion of undergrowth affects the availability of food sources for kōkako, particularly fruits and berries.
Pigs
- Forest Destruction: Wild pigs disturb forest floors by rooting and digging, destroying kōkako habitat and affecting seed dispersal.
- Predation on Ground-Nesting Birds: While less common, pigs may consume eggs or nestlings if they come across ground nests.
Hedgehogs
- Predators of ground-nesting birds’ eggs and chicks, as well as native invertebrates.
- Compete with native species for insects and other small prey.
The combined impacts of these species extend beyond their direct threats to kōkako. By degrading the forest ecosystem, they undermine the habitat for all native species. Addressing these threats through pest control and habitat restoration is critical to ensuring a future for the kōkako and the biodiversity of Rotoehu Forest.
Kōkako
The kōkako, a striking bird native to New Zealand, holds a significant place in the country’s cultural and ecological landscape. Renowned for its distinctive blue-grey plumage, vibrant wattles, and haunting melodies, the kōkako is an icon of New Zealand’s native birdlife. Its melodic calls echo through the forests, captivating both researchers and nature enthusiasts alike.
This unique species plays a crucial role in the health of New Zealand’s forests by dispersing seeds and contributing to forest regeneration. With its strong, curved beak adapted for foraging, the kōkako feeds on a diverse diet of fruits, insects, and nectar. Its presence in the canopy influences the structure and biodiversity of the forest ecosystem.
However, the kōkako faces numerous threats, including habitat loss, predation by introduced species such as rats, possums, and stoats, as well as competition for food and nesting sites. Conservation efforts led by organizations like the Department of Conservation and community groups like the Rotoehu Ecological Trust are vital for the survival of this iconic species. Through habitat restoration and predator control these initiatives aim to ensure the long-term viability of the kōkako population and preserve its unique place in New Zealand’s natural heritage.
