Post #2852807
2026-05-26 01:49 UTC
Now a kōtuku is a white heron, but they're less common around here than the gray herons that Matuku stream is named after. Mā means white, but I believe a matuku is any kind of heron so this is just a coincidence. The gray herons are technically white-faced herons even though they're mostly gray. The white herons also have white faces, but they are white all over. Matuku should not be confused with mākutu, which is bad witchcraft that herons do not practice.
#HeronKnowledge
Replies (1)
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@isaacfreeman@cloudisland.nz 2026-05-26 02:05
Matuku Stream also has black swans, which are the regular kind of swan around here. These swans hissed at me, but when I backed off and stood still for a bit they decide I was OK and proceeded past with their seven cygnets between them. If you include the cygnets, swans come in black, white, and also gray. #ShadesOfSwan