What do Kererū eat in Winter?

There is minimal seed and fruit available from native trees in winter.

Kererū frequently supplement their diet by consuming tree lucerne and young kowhai leaves which are both high in protein.

Also when these plants are flowering, kererū take nectar from flowers.

These birds are vital for dispersing the seed of large fruiting trees such as tawa, as they are the only native birds that can ingest such large fruit. Kererū subsequently disperse the seed in summer when defaecating, after the fleshy fruit has been digested.

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Article Source: Gil Roper August 2021 FOTBR Newsletter