As with Ua Huka in the Marquesas, Rimatara also has a superb birding guide who looks after the two endemic species – Rimatara Lorikeets and Oromao Rimatara Reed-Warbler.  Mooroa Tiraha is not only a guide, he also works in biosecurity to keep the island free of black rats which would devastate the vulnerable birds.  You can read more about him on the Manu website.

Here is Mooroa Tiraha picking us up in his truck first thing in the morning.  He drove us down the road past the airport to a banana plantation.  We were treated to a brilliant rainbow while still paled in comparison to the even more brilliant Rimatara Lorikeets.  They were in no hurry to come out and have breakfast.

We waited, watched and listened and soon a few more came out and this time they came down to the banana trees near us!

I was probably less than 10 metres away from this one!  In the past they had plenty to fear from humans but nowadays they are protected by law and a source of pride for the locals thanks to Queen Temaeva.  A few more came down, there were about 12 in this area and more in the trees behind out of view.

They can be very playful and entertaining to watch!

My husband Ina chatting to a local.  Then we both took photos with Mooroa.

This says it all!