Kakapo

The kakapo (Strigops habroptilus), also known as the owl parrot, is a large nocturnal, flightless parrot endemic to New Zealand. It is the world's heaviest parrot species and one of the most endangered.

Adult kakapos are mostly moss-green with yellow-brown underparts and distinctive facial ruff; they have short, rounded wings and long tails; their wings are not capable of flight. They have a strong bill and legs for climbing and walking.

Historically widespread across New Zealand, today the kakapo survives on predator-free offshore islands and fenced sanctuaries managed by the Kakapo Recovery Programme. Notable sites include Whenua Hou (Codfish Island) and Hauturu-o-Toi (Little Barrier Island).

Kakapos are nocturnal herbivores. They eat fruits (especially rimu and beech fruits), seeds, leaves, and buds. They move slowly and rely on stealth; they have a low metabolism and a long lifespan, often several decades.

Reproduction is irregular and linked to food availability. Males gather in leks and produce resonant booming calls to attract females. Females lay 2–4 eggs and incubate them for about 29–30 days; chicks hatch altricial and are raised by the female for several months.

Conservation status: IUCN Critically Endangered. As of the early 2020s, the population was about two hundred birds, with a small fraction of breeding age. Intensive management, anti-predator protection, and careful progeny planning remain essential.