🐾 LandCare difficulty: AdvancedLegal complexity: High — restricted in many states
Kakapo
Strigops habroptilus
The kakapo is a large, flightless, nocturnal New Zealand parrot and one of the world's most intensively managed birds, with every individual named and monitored. It is critically endangered, surviving only on predator-free islands under a dedicated national recovery program.
Educational only. KinStation content is reviewed by licensed veterinarians but cannot replace an in-person exam. Always consult a licensed veterinarian or board-certified specialist for diagnosis, treatment, or any decision affecting your pet's health.
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Quick facts
| Size | Very large parrot, 58-64 cm; males up to ~4 kg — the world's heaviest parrot. |
| Lifespan | 40–90 years |
| Native region | New Zealand (now restricted to predator-free offshore islands) |
| Climate | 🍂 Temperate |
| Genus | Strigops |
Habitat & enclosure
Once widespread across New Zealand's forests, the kakapo was devastated by introduced predators (cats, stoats, rats) against which a flightless, ground-nesting bird had no defense. Today it persists only on carefully managed, predator-free offshore islands. It is a strictly protected wild species and is never kept privately.
Diet
A herbivore that feeds on native fruits, seeds, leaves, bark, and especially the mast fruiting of the rimu tree, which appears to trigger breeding. Conservation managers supplement diet to support breeding condition. This entry is educational; the kakapo is not and cannot be a pet.
Behavior & temperament
Nocturnal and famously curious and tame. Males gather at traditional 'lek' arenas and emit a deep, far-carrying booming call to attract females, an unusual breeding system among parrots. Breeding is infrequent and tied to mast years, which is part of why recovery is slow.
Reviewed and signed off by: KinStation Editorial — conservation profile (pending DVM/biologist review)