I remember the kakaruia (black robin) getting down to one breeding female! That was in 1980!
February 25, 2026 at 10:15 PM
I remember the kakaruia (black robin) getting down to one breeding female! That was in 1980!
Karure, Kakaruia: Chatham Island black robin, is an endangered bird from the Chatham Islands off the east coast of New Zealand.
January 2, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Karure, Kakaruia: Chatham Island black robin, is an endangered bird from the Chatham Islands off the east coast of New Zealand.
The 12yo has declared it Karure Awareness Day!
The amazing thing about the black robin (Moriori: karure, Māori: kakaruia; Petroica traversi) who live on the Chatham Islands east of NZ/Aotearoa is that in 1980 they were down to 5 individuals! They have rebounded to 390, all descended from “Old Blue”
The amazing thing about the black robin (Moriori: karure, Māori: kakaruia; Petroica traversi) who live on the Chatham Islands east of NZ/Aotearoa is that in 1980 they were down to 5 individuals! They have rebounded to 390, all descended from “Old Blue”
Black robin - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
September 20, 2026 at 11:56 AM
The 12yo has declared it Karure Awareness Day!
The amazing thing about the black robin (Moriori: karure, Māori: kakaruia; Petroica traversi) who live on the Chatham Islands east of NZ/Aotearoa is that in 1980 they were down to 5 individuals! They have rebounded to 390, all descended from “Old Blue”
The amazing thing about the black robin (Moriori: karure, Māori: kakaruia; Petroica traversi) who live on the Chatham Islands east of NZ/Aotearoa is that in 1980 they were down to 5 individuals! They have rebounded to 390, all descended from “Old Blue”
The black robin, once down to just a single breeding pair, wins NZ bird of the year
The black robin, once down to just a single breeding pair, wins NZ bird of the year
Fondly known as the ‘goth’ of New Zealand’s bird world, the black robin now has a population of 350 adults thanks to a pioneering breeding programme
The black robin, once the world’s rarest bird before an extraordinary conservation project brought it back from brink of extinction, has been crowned New Zealand’s bird of the year, after record voter turnout.
The tiny bird is found only in the Chatham Islands, 800km east of mainland New Zealand. Called kakaruia in Māori and karure in Morirori – the language indigenous to the Chathams – the birds are also fondly known as the “goth” of New Zealand’s bird world, for its striking black plumage, black eyes and a little pointy black beak. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 21, 2026 at 1:32 AM
The black robin, once down to just a single breeding pair, wins NZ bird of the year
#Karure ou #Kakaruia, #ave endêmica da #NovaZelândia, acaba de ser eleita a Ave do Ano, com mais de 26.610 votos. Agora, a “bolinha de penas” inteiramente preta, que tem uma história dramática de #conservação, deixou pra trás dois fortes concorrentes: o papagaio #Kākāpō e o falcão #Kārearea
Rara, pequenina e totalmente preta, Karure vence competição de 'Ave do Ano' na Nova Zelândia
Karure já foi a ave mais rara do mundo, antes de um projeto de conservação salvá-la da beira da extinção. Nos anos 70, havia apenas cinco indivíduos nas Ilhas Chatham; hoje são 350
conexaoplaneta.com.br
September 25, 2026 at 11:40 PM
#Karure ou #Kakaruia, #ave endêmica da #NovaZelândia, acaba de ser eleita a Ave do Ano, com mais de 26.610 votos. Agora, a “bolinha de penas” inteiramente preta, que tem uma história dramática de #conservação, deixou pra trás dois fortes concorrentes: o papagaio #Kākāpō e o falcão #Kārearea
The final issue for 2025 is out online now!
www.cell.com/trends/ecolo...
Cover article by Aisling Rayne et al - Expanding the social dimensions of conservation translocations. An adorable Chatham Island black robin (karure, kakaruia, Petroica traversi)
www.cell.com/trends/ecolo...
Cover article by Aisling Rayne et al - Expanding the social dimensions of conservation translocations. An adorable Chatham Island black robin (karure, kakaruia, Petroica traversi)
December 12, 2025 at 4:18 PM
The final issue for 2025 is out online now!
www.cell.com/trends/ecolo...
Cover article by Aisling Rayne et al - Expanding the social dimensions of conservation translocations. An adorable Chatham Island black robin (karure, kakaruia, Petroica traversi)
www.cell.com/trends/ecolo...
Cover article by Aisling Rayne et al - Expanding the social dimensions of conservation translocations. An adorable Chatham Island black robin (karure, kakaruia, Petroica traversi)
Final #boty rankings:
1. Titipounamu - smollest roundest boi
2. Black robin/kakaruia - smollest smollest boi
3. Kererū - most relatable boi
4. Scaup/pāpango - swimmest boi
5. Rockhopper/tawaki piki toka - eyebrowest boi
1. Titipounamu - smollest roundest boi
2. Black robin/kakaruia - smollest smollest boi
3. Kererū - most relatable boi
4. Scaup/pāpango - swimmest boi
5. Rockhopper/tawaki piki toka - eyebrowest boi
September 3, 2024 at 7:48 AM
Final #boty rankings:
1. Titipounamu - smollest roundest boi
2. Black robin/kakaruia - smollest smollest boi
3. Kererū - most relatable boi
4. Scaup/pāpango - swimmest boi
5. Rockhopper/tawaki piki toka - eyebrowest boi
1. Titipounamu - smollest roundest boi
2. Black robin/kakaruia - smollest smollest boi
3. Kererū - most relatable boi
4. Scaup/pāpango - swimmest boi
5. Rockhopper/tawaki piki toka - eyebrowest boi
What are the ‘social dimensions’ of moving species for conservation and why does engaging with them matter?
This is the focus of our new paper doi.org/10.1016/j.tr... published in @cp-trendsecolevo.bsky.social olevo.bsky.social led by ever talented @aisrayne.bsky.social
📷 Kevin Parker
This is the focus of our new paper doi.org/10.1016/j.tr... published in @cp-trendsecolevo.bsky.social olevo.bsky.social led by ever talented @aisrayne.bsky.social
📷 Kevin Parker
October 7, 2025 at 10:26 PM
What are the ‘social dimensions’ of moving species for conservation and why does engaging with them matter?
This is the focus of our new paper doi.org/10.1016/j.tr... published in @cp-trendsecolevo.bsky.social olevo.bsky.social led by ever talented @aisrayne.bsky.social
📷 Kevin Parker
This is the focus of our new paper doi.org/10.1016/j.tr... published in @cp-trendsecolevo.bsky.social olevo.bsky.social led by ever talented @aisrayne.bsky.social
📷 Kevin Parker
The black robin, called kakaruia in Māori, was once the world’s rarest bird. An extraordinary conservation project brought it back from brink of extinction.
The tiny bird is found only in the Chatham Islands, 800km east of mainland New Zealand.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
The tiny bird is found only in the Chatham Islands, 800km east of mainland New Zealand.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
The black robin, once down to just a single breeding pair, wins NZ bird of the year
Fondly known as the ‘goth’ of New Zealand’s bird world, the black robin now has a population of 350 adults thanks to a pioneering breeding programme
www.theguardian.com
September 22, 2026 at 9:05 AM
The black robin, called kakaruia in Māori, was once the world’s rarest bird. An extraordinary conservation project brought it back from brink of extinction.
The tiny bird is found only in the Chatham Islands, 800km east of mainland New Zealand.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
The tiny bird is found only in the Chatham Islands, 800km east of mainland New Zealand.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
Fun fact about kakaruia; they're so inbred they no longer suffer negative effects due to inbreeding. The negative alleles effectively died out when they went down to Old Blue as sole breeding female.
If that's not a good enough reason to vote black robin as Bird of the Century I don't know what is.
If that's not a good enough reason to vote black robin as Bird of the Century I don't know what is.
This HAS to be Karure / Kakaruia / Chatham Island/robin's year. One of the most important conservation success stories not just for Aoteaeroa, but for the WORLD.
predatorfreenz.org/stories/reme...
VOTE Karure for Bird of the Century. www.birdoftheyear.org.nz
predatorfreenz.org/stories/reme...
VOTE Karure for Bird of the Century. www.birdoftheyear.org.nz
Bird of the Year ‹ Forest & Bird
Forest & Bird’s Bird of the Year recognises our unique birds and with each vote you give them a voice.
www.birdoftheyear.org.nz
October 31, 2023 at 9:05 PM
Fun fact about kakaruia; they're so inbred they no longer suffer negative effects due to inbreeding. The negative alleles effectively died out when they went down to Old Blue as sole breeding female.
If that's not a good enough reason to vote black robin as Bird of the Century I don't know what is.
If that's not a good enough reason to vote black robin as Bird of the Century I don't know what is.
Kakaruia has been my #1 since bird of the year started, lets make this year a win for this lil guy 💛 #birdoftheyear #karure #kakaruia #kikorangi
voting for bird of the year is open now!!
go vote!! (for the karure) please (vote for the karure my office is trying to beat our rival office also they're in serious danger)
www.birdoftheyear.org.nz
go vote!! (for the karure) please (vote for the karure my office is trying to beat our rival office also they're in serious danger)
www.birdoftheyear.org.nz
September 1, 2024 at 10:18 PM
Kakaruia has been my #1 since bird of the year started, lets make this year a win for this lil guy 💛 #birdoftheyear #karure #kakaruia #kikorangi
This HAS to be Karure / Kakaruia / Chatham Island/robin's year. One of the most important conservation success stories not just for Aoteaeroa, but for the WORLD.
predatorfreenz.org/stories/reme...
VOTE Karure for Bird of the Century. www.birdoftheyear.org.nz
predatorfreenz.org/stories/reme...
VOTE Karure for Bird of the Century. www.birdoftheyear.org.nz
Bird of the Year ‹ Forest & Bird
Forest & Bird’s Bird of the Year recognises our unique birds and with each vote you give them a voice.
www.birdoftheyear.org.nz
October 31, 2023 at 9:24 AM
This HAS to be Karure / Kakaruia / Chatham Island/robin's year. One of the most important conservation success stories not just for Aoteaeroa, but for the WORLD.
predatorfreenz.org/stories/reme...
VOTE Karure for Bird of the Century. www.birdoftheyear.org.nz
predatorfreenz.org/stories/reme...
VOTE Karure for Bird of the Century. www.birdoftheyear.org.nz
I think the karure/Chatham Island black robin is one of the best success stories
Karure / Kakaruia / Chatham Island black robin
The recovery of the Chatham Islands black robin from the brink of extinction is an internationally renowned conservation success story.
www.doc.govt.nz
May 16, 2025 at 10:41 PM
I think the karure/Chatham Island black robin is one of the best success stories
I propose giving a second vote to another small round boi - the super cute kakaruia
September 2, 2024 at 5:08 AM
I propose giving a second vote to another small round boi - the super cute kakaruia
News from Conservation in Aotearoa / New Zealand : Black robin recovery gains momentum #wildlife #conservation #nature #wild #birds
blog.doc.govt.nz/2026/09/08/b...
blog.doc.govt.nz/2026/09/08/b...
Black robin recovery gains momentum |
The future is looking brighter for the Karure/Kakaruia/Chatham Islands black robin, with ongoing monitoring and research showing encouraging signs of recovery.
blog.doc.govt.nz
September 18, 2026 at 8:05 AM
News from Conservation in Aotearoa / New Zealand : Black robin recovery gains momentum #wildlife #conservation #nature #wild #birds
blog.doc.govt.nz/2026/09/08/b...
blog.doc.govt.nz/2026/09/08/b...
Candidate 11 for # BOTY
Karure | Kakaruia / Black robin
Almost surprising it has never won, with the story around it- the population reduced to 5 birds and now up to around 250, and the pivotal single breading female "Old Blue" in 1980.
(photo Frances Schmechel CC BY-SA 2.0)
Karure | Kakaruia / Black robin
Almost surprising it has never won, with the story around it- the population reduced to 5 birds and now up to around 250, and the pivotal single breading female "Old Blue" in 1980.
(photo Frances Schmechel CC BY-SA 2.0)
September 9, 2024 at 1:02 AM
Candidate 11 for # BOTY
Karure | Kakaruia / Black robin
Almost surprising it has never won, with the story around it- the population reduced to 5 birds and now up to around 250, and the pivotal single breading female "Old Blue" in 1980.
(photo Frances Schmechel CC BY-SA 2.0)
Karure | Kakaruia / Black robin
Almost surprising it has never won, with the story around it- the population reduced to 5 birds and now up to around 250, and the pivotal single breading female "Old Blue" in 1980.
(photo Frances Schmechel CC BY-SA 2.0)
September 7, 2024 at 5:16 AM
Some truly great birds this year:
September 12, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Some truly great birds this year:
Such an important question. So many deserving manu. This little fella is seriously cute tho. I’m tempted to vote for karure #boty #kikorangi
September 1, 2024 at 9:47 PM
Such an important question. So many deserving manu. This little fella is seriously cute tho. I’m tempted to vote for karure #boty #kikorangi
Bird of the century contender: black Robin (karure/kakaruia) 🇳🇿
You've probably heard the success story of how we went from a single breeding pair in 1980 to ~300 total today. But the black Robin is still in serious trouble. They are extremely vulnerable to disease as they are chronically inbred
You've probably heard the success story of how we went from a single breeding pair in 1980 to ~300 total today. But the black Robin is still in serious trouble. They are extremely vulnerable to disease as they are chronically inbred
October 29, 2023 at 11:54 PM
Bird of the century contender: black Robin (karure/kakaruia) 🇳🇿
You've probably heard the success story of how we went from a single breeding pair in 1980 to ~300 total today. But the black Robin is still in serious trouble. They are extremely vulnerable to disease as they are chronically inbred
You've probably heard the success story of how we went from a single breeding pair in 1980 to ~300 total today. But the black Robin is still in serious trouble. They are extremely vulnerable to disease as they are chronically inbred
rare little babies:
Kakī, kakaruia, hihi, pukunui, pīwauwau.
Maybe??
I will have to leave the page open while I ponder.
Kakī, kakaruia, hihi, pukunui, pīwauwau.
Maybe??
I will have to leave the page open while I ponder.
September 2, 2024 at 6:12 AM
rare little babies:
Kakī, kakaruia, hihi, pukunui, pīwauwau.
Maybe??
I will have to leave the page open while I ponder.
Kakī, kakaruia, hihi, pukunui, pīwauwau.
Maybe??
I will have to leave the page open while I ponder.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
New Zealand’s Bird of the Year
Called kakaruia in Māori and karure in Morirori –– the birds are also fondly known as the “goth” of New Zealand’s bird world, for its striking black plumage, black eyes and a little pointy black beak.
New Zealand’s Bird of the Year
Called kakaruia in Māori and karure in Morirori –– the birds are also fondly known as the “goth” of New Zealand’s bird world, for its striking black plumage, black eyes and a little pointy black beak.
The black robin, once down to just a single breeding pair, wins NZ bird of the year
Fondly known as the ‘goth’ of New Zealand’s bird world, the black robin now has a population of 350 adults thanks to a pioneering breeding programme
www.theguardian.com
September 21, 2026 at 7:47 AM
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
New Zealand’s Bird of the Year
Called kakaruia in Māori and karure in Morirori –– the birds are also fondly known as the “goth” of New Zealand’s bird world, for its striking black plumage, black eyes and a little pointy black beak.
New Zealand’s Bird of the Year
Called kakaruia in Māori and karure in Morirori –– the birds are also fondly known as the “goth” of New Zealand’s bird world, for its striking black plumage, black eyes and a little pointy black beak.
I hope BOTY2024 is high priority in everyone's minds. If you do vote, pop in a donation! www.birdoftheyear.org.nz
Here are my birdy-boiis. It's a difficult choice because we live amongst adorable and magnificent birds.
Doing simple pencil drawings is breaking my current art block.
🇳🇿
Here are my birdy-boiis. It's a difficult choice because we live amongst adorable and magnificent birds.
Doing simple pencil drawings is breaking my current art block.
🇳🇿
September 6, 2024 at 2:36 AM
I hope BOTY2024 is high priority in everyone's minds. If you do vote, pop in a donation! www.birdoftheyear.org.nz
Here are my birdy-boiis. It's a difficult choice because we live amongst adorable and magnificent birds.
Doing simple pencil drawings is breaking my current art block.
🇳🇿
Here are my birdy-boiis. It's a difficult choice because we live amongst adorable and magnificent birds.
Doing simple pencil drawings is breaking my current art block.
🇳🇿