Birdman George (George Mateariki)

George Mateariki, widely known on the island of Atiu as Birdman George, is the long-serving warden of the Takitumu Conservation Area and the de facto guide for anyone wanting to see the Cook Islands' rarest endemic landbirds. He helped lead the translocation of the critically endangered Rarotonga Monarch (Kakerori) from Rarotonga to Atiu, and continues to monitor the small founder population there. His day tours combine bird-finding with cultural interpretation: visitors are picked up in a bush van and walked along the historic Captain Cook trail, with stops for the Atiu Swiftlet (Kopeka) at its limestone cave colony, the Rarotonga Monarch, and other Cook Islands endemics. Tropical lunch is included on the longer eco-tour, and specialist bird-only tours can be booked in advance. Based on the island of Atiu, he operates as a one-person outfit and is the only practical option for birding on the island.