15) ~Kakapo~

More about 15) ~Kakapo~

**Kakapo - Strigops habroptila

Location: Endemic to New Zealand

Status: Critically Endangered- only around 250 individuals alive (all named and monitored)

Description & Behavior:

The Kakapo, often called the “owl parrot,” is one of Earth’s most extraordinary birds -a plump, moss-green, flightless parrot that smells faintly of honey and forest earth. Unlike any other parrot, the Kakapo is nocturnal and cannot fly, using its strong legs to climb trees and glide clumsily to the forest floor.

It’s a relic from a time before mammals arrived in New Zealand- a peaceful, prehistoric land where birds ruled. Evolving without natural predators, the Kakapo grew trusting and curious, a trait that became its downfall once humans brought rats, stoats, and cats.

Adults can weigh up to 4 kg (8.8 lb)- making it the heaviest parrot in the world. Males perform remarkable “booming” mating calls, inflating chest air sacs and sending deep, resonant sounds echoing through the night forests to attract females from kilometers away.

Each Kakapo has a unique personality, and conservationists even give them names- like Sirocco, the famous “spokesbird for conservation,” known for his cheeky and affectionate nature.

Threats:

Predation: Introduced mammals such as stoats, rats, and cats decimated populations, killing chicks and adults alike.

Habitat loss: Logging and deforestation destroyed much of their native rimu and beech forests.

Low breeding rate: Kakapos breed only in years when certain forest fruits (like rimu) are abundant- sometimes just once every 2-4 years.

Genetic bottleneck: With such a tiny population, inbreeding is a major concern.

By the mid-1990s, the species was on the brink- with just 50 birds remaining, all males, until a few females were miraculously rediscovered.

Conservation Efforts:

New Zealand’s Kakapo Recovery Programme is one of the most intensive wildlife rescues on the planet.
Every Kakapo now lives on predator-free sanctuary islands such as Codfish (Whenua Hou) and Anchor Island. Each bird is microchipped, named, DNA-tested, and monitored 24/7.
Scientists use artificial insemination, radio transmitters, and nest cameras to ensure every egg and chick is protected.

The success has been heart-warming - from near extinction to more than 250 individuals today. Each chick represents not only a new life but also a triumph of patience, science, and human compassion.

Quick Facts:

Scientific Name: Strigops habroptila

Average Lifespan: Up to 90 years

Habitat: Temperate podocarp forests on offshore islands

Diet: Fruits, seeds, leaves, bark, and moss

Breeding: Females nest on the ground; males display at lek sites

Unique Ability: Deep “booming” calls that travel over long distances

Predators: Historically none; now protected from all introduced mammals

2025 November 03