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The kakapo, also called the owl parrot, is a nocturnal parrot of New Zealand. It is critically endangered, and extinct on the mainland. The fact that it is the world's only flightless parrot does not help its situation, but being endangered is the result of a combination of factors. The biggest factor in the kakapo's endangerment has been human settlement in New Zealand.
Prior to European settlement, there were no native predators of the kakapo in New Zealand. They are particularly subject to predation by stoats and feral cats, both of which have been introduced. Feral cats have virtually decimated the poulation on Stewart Island. Also, when the Polynesians arrived, the kiore, or Polynesian rat, was introduced into the kakapo's habitat, whereupon they began to feast on the kakapo's eggs. The Polynesians themselves raided nests and ate eggs, and they used the kakapo as a source of food for the new human population as, being flightless, they were easy to catch. The feathers from the kakapos were also valued. With the arrival of new people from Europe, the situation became worse with more rats, imported cats and stoats, and more hunting by the new residents of the birds for food.
To add to the difficulties, the Kakapo have long breeding cycles, of approximately 3 years, so population growth is not sufficient to replace the birds lost to predation by other species. As well the berries they eat during breeding seasons apparently suffered a down turn too, and the quantity of berries became insufficient to sustain the breeding populations as needed. Introduced plant species took over the kakapo's habitat, pushing out the kakapo's native foods. Land clearing by Europeans exacerbated the situation.
The current recovery programme involves relocation of the kakapo to protected islands. Since the implementation of the Kakapo Recovery Plan which was established in 1989, numbers have gradually increased, but the bird is still critically endangered. They are currently critically endangered, with a population that fluctuates between 120 and 131, but this is a vast improvement on the 51 known birds in 1995.
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The kakapo is an endangered what?
The kakapo is an endangered bird. Native to New Zealand, it is an unusual bird, being the world's only flightless parrot.
When did kakapo exist?
Kakapo still exist. They are flightless parrots, native to New Zealand, and critically endangered.
What is a flightless parrot - this bird is usually solitary and is an endangered species?
This is the kakapo of New Zealand. It is the world's only flightless parrot, and it is critically endangered.
What is a flightless parrot this bird is usually solitary and is an endangered species?
Maybe a Kakapo?
Is New Zealand's endangered bird the kakapo bird?
New Zealand has more than one endangered bird. The kakapo, the world's only flightless parrot, is the most endangered, with around just 130 birds remaining.Other endangered birds of New Zealand which, like the kakapo are flightless, include the following:kiwitakahēyellow eyed penguinerect crested penguin
Does a kakapo migrate and what are its routes?
No the kakapo does not migrate because it is a flightless bird and moves very slowly.Also the kakapo is highly endangered (iucn critically endangered) and numbers are about 125 left alive.because of this the kakapo is only found on cod fish and anchor islands so they are free from predators. so in this case they have no were to migrate as they cant get off these islands.
What is the name of the heaviest and only flightless parrot in the world?
The heaviest parrot and the world's only flightless parrot is the critically endangered Kakapo parrot of New Zealand.
What is the Scientific name of the flightless Kakapo Parrot that is native to New Zealand?
The scientific name of the flightless Kakapo parrot native to New Zealand is Strigops habroptilus. It is a critically endangered species known for its unique behavior and appearance.
The kakapo eats certain things and does this contribute to the animals endangeredment?
The Kakapo is already endangered but because of what it eats does not effect the Kakapo in being more endangered - Farzana Neshi Hossain
Where does the kakapo originate from?
The kakapo originates from New Zealand. It is the world's only flightless parrot.
Which countries is the kakapo found in?
The kakapo is found in only one country: New Zealand. The introduction of predators on the mainland has resulted in the remaining specimens of this critically endangered flightless parrot being moved to several offshore islands.
What is the wild population of the Kakapo bird?
According to a report from February 2012, the population of the kakapo at that stage stood at 127. This was down from a high of 131 in the previous breeding season. This flightless, nocturnal parrot of New Zealand is critically endangered.
