2. Interesting facts
The Kakapo is the ...
Heaviest parrot in the world
Only flightless and night parrot
Found only in New Zealand
3. Characteristic
• Scientific name: Strigops habroptilus, means
"owl-like
• Maori name: 'kakapo', means 'night parrot‘
• The kakapo is the heaviest parrot in the world
- males can weigh up to four kilograms
4. W What does it look like?
• 60 cm long
• weigh up to 3.5 kilograms
• soft moss-green feathers
• black on its back, pale yellow-green feathers
underneath
• has an owl-like face with 'whiskers‘
• Large white and pale blue beak
6. Where do they Live?
• All Kakapo now live on Codfish and Anchor
Island
• Kakapo are endangered animals and need to
be protected.
• Habitat: Offshore island where there are no
predators.
7. What do they eat?
• They are vegetarians
• They like to chew on almonds
• Females like the taste of kumara
• They also like to eat plants, seeds, roots, fruits
and leaves.
8. Can Kakapos Fly?
• No
• It is the only flightless parrot in the world
How do they get around?
• They have sharp, powerful claws to help it
cling to tree branches and run along the forest
floor.
• As they are heavy in weight and too heavy to
fly, it became a good walker and climber
9. H How many newborns does
it I it have an how often?
• They can lay about 3 to 4 eggs at a time
• They usually lay eggs every year,
but if there is not enough rimu fruit, they will
not breed for the next 2 years.
How long does it live for?
• They can live for over 60 years
10. Behaviour
• Day:
Sleep during the day
• Night:
Wanders alone thorough the forest looking for
food
• Seasons:
Breeds from August to January
11. Threats
• Humans – people hunted the kakapo, cleared
their forest and brought new enemies.
• Possums – they eat the same food as kakapo
so they can become hungry
• Rats and cats are also a danger to kakapo and
can attack and kill them.
12. Are they protected?
• Yes
• Department of Conservation care for the
Kakapos
• They have moved them to Codfish and Anchor
Island to protect them
• Environmental groups like `Forest & Birds’
encourage the government for money to help
save our endangered birds
13. How many are left?
• As of 5th March 2012 -
World Kakapo Population = 127
