The Kākāpō is a nocturnal, flightless New Zealand parrot and is the heaviest parrot in the world. There are currently 247 Kākāpō, the most Kākāpō there have been for 50 years.
Description
Kākāpō are have a moss green back with mottled yellow and black above and below. They have a pale owl-like face. A female can weigh 1.4 kg and a male 2.2 kg. During the mating season they can put on another 1 kg. Female Kākāpō have a narrower and less domed head and longer beak than males.
Kākāpō are have a moss green back with mottled yellow and black above and below. They have a pale owl-like face. A female can weigh 1.4 kg and a male 2.2 kg. During the mating season they can put on another 1 kg. Female Kākāpō have a narrower and less domed head and longer beak than males.
Habitat
Kākāpō used to live all over New Zealand but are now contained to predator proof islands such are Little Barrier Island and Codfish Island. They are not picky about their habitat and have been known to live in both the mountains in the South Island and patches in the North Island with vegetation.
Diet
Kākāpō are herbivores. In their diet is leaves, buds, flowers, ferns, bark and roots and well as several other things.
Threats
Today Kākāpō live on predator proof islands and their only threat is lack of reproduction. As Kākāpō do not lay very often, it is important that they have as much success as possible to help increase the population. Threats to the Kākāpō before the population was moved to predator proof island include poaching, both for meat and feathers, predators and habitat loss.
How to Help
We can try and make New Zealand predator proof in the hope that someday Kākāpō can live here with out any worries. As well as doing this we can donate or help organisations that are trying to help this rare flightless bird.
If you see a sick, injured or dead Kākāpō then contact the Department of Conservation.
Kākāpō used to live all over New Zealand but are now contained to predator proof islands such are Little Barrier Island and Codfish Island. They are not picky about their habitat and have been known to live in both the mountains in the South Island and patches in the North Island with vegetation.
Diet
Kākāpō are herbivores. In their diet is leaves, buds, flowers, ferns, bark and roots and well as several other things.
Threats
Today Kākāpō live on predator proof islands and their only threat is lack of reproduction. As Kākāpō do not lay very often, it is important that they have as much success as possible to help increase the population. Threats to the Kākāpō before the population was moved to predator proof island include poaching, both for meat and feathers, predators and habitat loss.
How to Help
We can try and make New Zealand predator proof in the hope that someday Kākāpō can live here with out any worries. As well as doing this we can donate or help organisations that are trying to help this rare flightless bird.
If you see a sick, injured or dead Kākāpō then contact the Department of Conservation.
References
NZ Birds Online: http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/kakapo
Department of Conservation: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/kakapo/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakapo
Seven things you probably didn't know about the Kākāpō: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/82736699/seven-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-the-kakapo
Animal Diversity Web: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Strigops_habroptila/
NZ Birds Online: http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/kakapo
Department of Conservation: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/kakapo/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakapo
Seven things you probably didn't know about the Kākāpō: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/82736699/seven-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-the-kakapo
Animal Diversity Web: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Strigops_habroptila/