Kakapo are a flightless, nocturnal parrot, native to New Zealand. Until recently, the kakapo faced near extinction from hunting, habitat loss and the introduction of predators.
The kakapo are a special bird, unique in many ways. They are the heaviest parrot in the world, with males weighing more than 2 kilograms.
Kakapo are a plump bird, storing large amuonts of body fat for energy. Their feathers are a green-yellow colour, mottled with black or dark brownish grey.
Kakapo cannot fly, but are able to climb trees and walk several kilometres in a single night.
Male kakapo have a subsonic mating boom that can travel several kilometres. The female nests on the ground, laying up to 3 eggs per breeding cycle. They breed only every 2 to 4 years.
Their diet consists of a variety of roots, leaves and fruit.
Hunting, habitat loss and the introduction of predators such as rats, cats and stoats brought about the near extinction of this beautiful, rare bird. Nesting on the ground makes its eggs and chicks easy prey to introduced predators, especially cats.
Today the kakapo are managed by the Department of Conservation on three offshore islands: Whenua Hou (Codfish Island) near Stewart Island, Anchor Island in Fiordland, and Little Barrier Island (Hauturu-o-Toi) near Auckland.
NZ Date & Time: September 19 2019, 3:56 am
Did you Know?
New Zealand has three official languages: English, Māori and New Zealand Sign Language.