Why does a kakapo look like an owl but it is a parrot?

Answer 1

Although the kakapo is a parrot, being flightless, its shape is stockier than that of other parrots. It is the world's heaviest parrot and it has more of an owl's rounded shape than the long and slender shape of some parrots.

Click on the related link below to see a photograph of a kakapo.

Answer 2

As a parrot, the kakapo has a strong, sharp, curved beak for cracking open seeds and nuts, and a wide, blunt tongue for collecting nectar. Its claws are sharp, which aids in climbing, and as with all parrots, two toes point forwards and two point backwards, enabling it to grip and climb.

The kakapo is flightless, so it is not brightly coloured like many parrots are. Its plumage is mottled green-yellow, providing it with effective camouflage within its bushy habitat. It is nocturnal, and it has some owl-like features, such as its soft plumage, flattish face and its facial disc of owl-like bristles, or whiskers.

Answer 3

The kakapo is a nocturnal parrot, so it has some similarities to owls, with a flatter face and owl-like whiskery feathers on its face.

However, as a parrot, its feet have two sharp claws pointing forwards and two pointing backwards, to enable it to climb, unlike the sharp talons of an owl. Its beak is also of the classic parrot shape, being sharply curved to crack seeds and nuts, rather than the shorter, hooked beak of an owl which is designed to grip and tear prey.

Answer 4

The kakapo is the world's only flightless parrot. Its feathers are mottled moss green and yellow to provide it with effective camouflage. Being a parrot, it can climb trees, having a sharp beak and claws. Though not the largest parrot, it is the heaviest. It can weigh up to 3.5 kg (7 pounds) for males, and 2 kg (over 4 pounds) for females. Males have been known to exceed 4 kg.

Male kakapo can reach a head to tail length of 60 cm, or 24 inches.