40 Karat Kakapos

I know - it's another bird post, but this bird is definitely not one that's in my backyard.  And I thought this very special bird deserves some attention.  The kakapo or owl parrot, only found in New Zealand, is an enigma when it comes to parrots.  It is the only flightless, nocturnal parrot.  It has whiskers that helps it feel its way in the dark, and even though it doesn't fly, its strong claws help it climb vines and trees.  It is also one of the rarest birds in the world - there are only about 120 individuals left.  But that's the good news because at one point there were only 50.

Source:  Sydney Morning Herald

The fact that the kakapo is so tame and unafraid of predators is its downfall. That's because originally New Zealand had no mammals which is why the kakapo had no need for flight.  it was hunted almost to extinction for its meat mostly by humans, but also by introduced predators.  In 1977 sixty-one birds were airlifted to the island of Whenua Hou and two other small islands that were predator-free.  Since then researchers have kept a careful eye on these rare birds and and they are tracked by radio transmitters.

Source:  Terra Nature

The kakapo is also the heaviest parrot, and possibly the longest living bird in the world. The fact that it lives to be almost 100 years old or more may have been what saved it from extinction, as well as a dedicated group of people helping to make sure it survives.

Source:  Animal Discovery

For more information and video about the relocation process and kakapo behavior, click here.  For more information on the Kakapo Recovery Project, click here.