Kohab Life

Tips and ideas to support NZ Birds in your garden and help them thrive.

Sacred Kingfisher (Kotare) Facts & Info
Josie Sutherland Josie Sutherland

Sacred Kingfisher (Kotare) Facts & Info

The Sacred Kingfisher is a fearsome hunter. Once they catch their food, they bash their victim to death and pulverise them so they can swallow them whole....

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Why Birds Look Scruffy in Autumn
Josie Sutherland Josie Sutherland

Why Birds Look Scruffy in Autumn

Why do birds look so scruffy in Autumn? It’s moulting season in NZ. Find out what it means and how we can help the birds we kohabit with.

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How Do Birds' Feet Work?
Josie Sutherland Josie Sutherland

How Do Birds' Feet Work?

Ever wondered how birds manage to sleep on a branch without falling off? Find out about the amazing science behind their grip!

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The mating behaviour of Tūī.
Josie Sutherland Josie Sutherland

The mating behaviour of Tūī.

The New Zealand endemic Tūī has an elaborate and noisy mating ritual. But not all is as it seems, and it turns out that size really does matter. Find out how the male Tūī woos a female, and what really attracts their mate.

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How do birds stay warm in the Winter?
Josie Sutherland Josie Sutherland

How do birds stay warm in the Winter?

During the Winter months and temperatures drop across New Zealand, have you ever wondered how your garden birds stay warm? Find out how in this months Kohab Life blog now.

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How to clean your bird feeder.
Josie Sutherland Josie Sutherland

How to clean your bird feeder.

It’s important to clean your bird feeders regularly as it helps attract more birds but also helps support NZ birds by protecting them from illness and the spread of pests and diseases.

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The best place to put a bird feeder.
Josie Sutherland Josie Sutherland

The best place to put a bird feeder.

Bird feeders are a great way to attract birds to your garden and support your wild birdlife with supplementary food. But where you place your feeder can make all the difference to the number of visitors you get.

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Bird feathers and how they work.
Josie Sutherland Josie Sutherland

Bird feathers and how they work.

Feathers are amazing things. Lightweight and beautiful, but strong and perfectly designed. All birds have them and they provide warmth, protection, the ability to fly and to attract mates. Find out all about how they work here…

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Ruru (Morepork) - Facts and Info
Josie Sutherland Josie Sutherland

Ruru (Morepork) - Facts and Info

New Zealand's only native owl, the Ruru, may be known as the Guardian of the Forest, but this nocturnal forest owl is also common in urban settings where there are lots of large trees. Find out more…

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