2. Kakapo Parrots
Kakapo parrots are:
• The heaviest parrots in the world
• The only flightless parrot known
• Could possibly be the oldest bird –
lives to around 60 years old….
• The only nocturnal parrot
3. What Do They Look Like?
• Kakapo have finely blotched feathers that
are yellow and green.
• Short legs with sharp claws and big feet
• They have wings however, they don’t use
them.
• They have a long curled tail similar to a
fantail.
4. Where Do they Live/Where Are
They Found?
• Kakapo live in New Zealand. They used
to live in the North and South Island but
now they are protected. They live at the
very bottom of New Zealand. West of
Stewart Island you will find “Codfish
Island” - the breeding ground of the
Kakapo.
Codfish Island South Island
Stewart Island
5. What Kind Of Habitat Do They Live
In?
• On Codfish Island Kakapo live near to the
sea so there is lots of bush and scrub
land.
• Codfish Island is perfect for Kakapo
because it has no pests to eat them.
6. What Do They Eat?
• The Kakapo is a vegetarian.
• They eat a range of things:
*Fruit of Rimu, Kahikatea and
Mingimingi
*Seeds of manuka and leatherwood
*In summer they drink rata nectar
*In winter they eat sun orchid bulbs
7. How Many Chicks At Once?
• They usually only breed every 2 – 3 years,
which gives them time to fatten up as the
female has lots of work to do when the
chicks come along.
• The eggs take about thirty days to hatch.
After ten to fifteen weeks the chicks get
the confidence to hunt and live on their
own.
8. Who Are Their Predators?
• The Kakapo was nearly wiped out
because of cats, rats, ferrets and stoats.
• Due to the lack of Kakapo, it was decided
the existing birds would be moved South
to Codfish Island.
• They can hide well because of their
colouring but they still get hunted because
of their strong smell.
9. How Many Kakapo Are Left?
• A few years ago there were approximately
64 Kakapo left.
• When Kakapo were moved to Codfish
Island their numbers were coming back.
• Last year there were 123 left in NZ
• Hopefully they can let them back into the
wild soon….
