A very friendly t\u016b\u012b has been delighting Opoho residents by landing on shoulders and dishing out “kisses”, but one resident warns the behaviour should not be encouraged.<\/p>\n
Rob Thomson was pottering around his garden last month when a t\u016b\u012b unexpectedly landed on his shoulder.<\/p>\n
“I was talking to someone on the phone … and I said, \u2018Oh, sorry, I\u2019ve got to end this call because there\u2019s a t\u016b\u012b on my shoulder\u2019.<\/p>\n
“He was very friendly and wanted to lick me \u2014 he had a little tongue going in my ear that was incredibly ticklish. He was very friendly.”<\/p>\n
While Mr Thomson was delighted by the experience, he believed it was probably a bad idea to encourage the bird.<\/p>\n
After doing some research, he discovered the t\u016b\u012b was injured when it was a chick and was hand-reared.<\/p>\n
Despite best efforts, the t\u016b\u012b imprinted on humans.<\/p>\n
Since being released, the t\u016b\u012b has become quite friendly with the people it sees.<\/p>\n
“Even though it was a wonderful experience, I should have discouraged it because it really should be with other t\u016b\u012b rather than people.<\/p>\n
“It also means it\u2019s less likely to find food and find a mate and things like that.”<\/p>\n
The t\u016b\u012b was often seen landing in North East Valley or Opoho properties, or hanging around the Dunedin Botanic Garden.<\/p>\n
“We should be discouraging it, even though it\u2019s wonderful, and certainly not feeding or grabbing it,” Mr Thomson said.<\/p>\n
He was also worried people were feeding the t\u016b\u012b , and if it became too reliant on people and the food they gave it, the t\u016b\u012b might not survive.<\/p>\n