Kakapo parrot | Facts & Information

Origin

Due to the introduction of wild animals into its habitat, the number of kakapo parrots has decreased to extinction. Today there are only a few islands in New Zealand, free of predators, where the species is protected. In 1999 there were only 51 individuals worldwide, but due to the protection of the species the number doubled over the next 10 years.

It is also called Night Parrot or parrot-owl (due to the appearance resembling an owl). It is the only Parrot in the world that cannot fly. Possibly the longest-lived parrot. It is the only polygamous parrot in the world.

Kakapo Parrot Feed

The kakapo owl's food consists of various plants and their SAP. He likes plant stems, fruits, Moss, pollen, seeds, roots, mushrooms and various leaves. It feeds on the fruit of the rimu tree once every two years. It is the only true herbivore (it has the majority plant diet) of New Zealand.

It also feeds on insects and their larvae or small invertebrate animals when needed. Hard or indigestible debris regurgitates them.

Features Parrot Kakapo

The kakapo parrot is the largest parrot. It weighs nearly 3kg and has a body length of 64cm. Like the Emu Bird, the kakapo parrot has small and short wings and cannot support it in the air. Apart from the small and round wings, the sternum is underdeveloped and the propulsion muscles do not have the necessary strength because they are too weak.

Sexual dimorphism consists in the fact that the male is larger and heavier than the female. The eyes are small, and the iris is dark in color. vision and smell are well developed. Strong legs, ending with claws, help him walk, run, scour the ground and climb trees. Each foot has four toes, two pointing in front and two pointing in the back.

Its plumage helps it to camouflage itself in the vegetation of the tropical forests where it lives. The body is covered with green, brown and yellow feathers. It's very hard to see if it's not moving. The feathers on the face and The Shape of the head make it resemble an owl, hence the name of the parrot-owl kakapo. He has the ability to run very fast on the ground and climb trees with dexterity. The descent from the trees is not easy, the bird can hover to the ground, but sometimes it can get injured due to the weight. The feathers are soft and fluffy.

The kakapo parrot rests atop trees where it can easily observe possible predators or territory. Rest can last and several hours. Unlike other bird species, it can absorb almost a third of its body weight, so it can reach 4kg in weight.

It is said to be an incompetent bird, plump and lelesa because it does not give much interest to the mating process. However, it is a very sociable, curious and unconscious bird. If you are near a kakapo bird it comes to you alone. Zoologist Charles Douglas explained in 1899 that: "these parrots could be caught without problems with their bare hands, including at night. It was only necessary to shake the bushes and bushes until the birds fell to the ground”.

It is a nocturnal bird. It begins its activity when the sun sets and can be seen until morning. Avoid actions during the day. If it is in danger it crouches on the ground standing still being protected by the plumage that camouflages it very well. Predators include wild cats, foxes, Martens, weasels or gutcans(large rats).

Reproduction Parrot Kakapo

Males make loud sounds during mating to attract females. These sounds can be heard from distances of 1.5 km. They fight for the position of alpha male and to impress their partners. Attacks involve fighting with claws and beak, ruffling feathers and opening wings for intimidation. The female is the one who picks up her mate. The mating season begins in December and lasts until April. Males do not participate in raising offspring.

The kakapo parrot builds its nest in burrows that it digs at the roots of trees or among stones. It covers its nest with vegetation. The female lays 2-4 eggs which she hatches for a month. During this one-month incubation period the female leaves her eggs unattended when feeding. They are vulnerable to any predator. Zoologists have noticed that females are not very attracted to the appearance of breeding like other birds, and males are so stupid that they confuse their potential mate with various animals, often ending up because of this mistake.

After hatching the chicks are cared for and fed by the female kakapo for 6 months. Sexual maturity is reached at the age of 6 months in males and at 10 months in females. The kakapo parrot hardly adapts in captivity. Natural selection is a factor that negatively influences multiplication. It can only breed in the wild where reproduction takes place once every two years. This happens so rarely because the female, generally uninterested in breeding, enters the heat once every two years. And as if that weren't enough most of the offspring that are born are males.

Life expectancy is very high, it frequently reaches 60 years. It is believed that there are specimens that live 90 years.