New Zealand rose to the surface of the Pacific Ocean from the world’s hidden and mysterious eighth continent Zealandia about 50 million years ago. Zealandia is the smallest and newest continent discovered, with over 90% of it still under water today. There are many species of birds, fish, insects, lizards and frogs that are native and found only in New Zealand, the land of the long white cloud and one of the most remote places on earth. The only native mammals are bats and marine mammals.
With no predators, birds in New Zealand evolved into a mix of flightless birds and melodic forest birds. Sadly many wildlife species have become extinct when human and other predators arrived.
The creation of BRO & BRO cartoon bird characters was based on two native birds in New Zealand, Pukeko and Tui. The cartoons tell the stories and adventure of two Kiwi bros. They are humorous and educational, for readers of all ages.
Bro aka Mr. Pukeko
Character: Bro
Conservation Status: New Zealand native bird, abundant everywhere
Height: 51 cm
Weight: 1050 g
Appearance: Deep blue with black head and upper body part, under tail white flicks as he
walks, bill scarlet, eyes red, legs and feet orange red, good swimmer, swift runner, flies short distance
Diet: Aquatic vegetation, grasses, clover, seeds, berries, insects, worms, frogs, eels
Call: Loud unmusical screech
Habitat: Wetlands, estuaries, parks, lakes, swampy, wet grassy areas
Nesting: August to November, male birds carry out most incubation
IQ: Intelligent
Bro aka Mr. Tui
Character: Bro
Conservation Status: New Zealand native bird, abundant everywhere
Height: 30 cm
Weight: 125 g
Appearance: Looks dark but with green bluish-purple and bronze sheen, back and flanks
dark reddish brown, slightly curved bill, with two white throat tufts or poi
Diet: Mainly nectar, flax, fruit, insects, pollen and seeds
Call: Distinctive and beautiful croaking, has rich melodic notes, able to imitate human speech
Habitat: Native forest, scrub, land with kowhai, gum and flax, parks, gardens
Nesting: November to January
IQ: Intelligent
