Celebrity bird makes an appearance in Picton pharmacy

“There were various reasons put forward for its visit – fish oil capsules, a bird flu jab or heron aid batteries”

Picton Healthcare Pharmacy was host to a special kind of customer today – one of the feathered variety.

Pharmacist owner Graeme Smith alerted Pharmacy Today to the arrival of the kōtuku that dropped into his store this morning.

He says it’s not unusual for a pīwakawaka (fantail) to flutter into the store to fly a circuit but it’s the first time they’ve had a kōtuku – or white heron.

This particular kōtuku strode forward with confidence and curiosity.

“It walked all the way down to the dispensary counter, much to the amusement of customers,” says Mr Smith. “There were various reasons put forward for its visit – fish-oil capsules, a bird flu jab or ‘heron’ aid batteries.”

After 20 minutes, pharmacy staff contacted the Department of Conservation which sent a ranger to collect the bird.

It appears this kōtuku is a celebrity and well known to DOC.

“They believe it comes from the West Coast but has spent the last two summers in the Picton area and become very accustomed to people.”

The breed, which is also found in Australia, South Pacific and Asian regions, is rare and nearly became extinct last century.

It is revered for its elegant, long white feathers and appears on the New Zealand two-dollar coin.

According to the DOC website, the kōtuku is considered a rare and beautiful treasure.

“It occupied an important place in Māori myth and folklore, and to compare a visitor to a kōtuku was a compliment of the highest order.”

The nzbirds.com website reports that so seldom does kōtuku appear in any locality that as “rare as the kōtuku” has passed into proverb.