Return of the Kākāpō

A fluffy green bird hops through a forest in New Zealand. It climbs a tree, using its claws to grip the branches. The bird nibbles on berries and leaves until it’s satisfied. Then it leaps from the branch, spreading its wings to slow its fall. 

This unusual bird is a parrot called a kakapo (kuh-KAH-poh). Kakapo stand apart from other parrots in many ways. They are heavier than all other parrots, weighing up to 4 kilograms (8.8 pounds). Unlike other parrots, kakapo can’t fly. They’re also the only parrots that are nocturnal. “We often say, ‘All parrots do this—except the kakapo!’” says Bronnie Jeynes. She’s a ranger with Kakapo Recovery, a program to help the birds.

A fluffy green bird hops through a forest in New Zealand. It climbs a tree, using its claws to grip the branches. The bird nibbles on berries and leaves. It leaps down when it’s done eating. It spreads its wings to slow its fall. 

This odd bird is a parrot called a kakapo (kuh-KAH-poh). Kakapo are different from other parrots in many ways. They are heavier than all other parrots. They weigh up to 4 kilograms (8.8 pounds). Kakapo can’t fly like other parrots. They’re also the only parrots that are nocturnal. “We often say, ‘All parrots do this—except the kakapo!’” says Bronnie Jeynes. She’s a ranger with Kakapo Recovery, a program that helps the birds.

Kakapo once lived across New Zealand’s many islands. For centuries, the birds were hunted by the Indigenous New Zealanders, known as M¯aori people. That caused kakapo numbers to slowly decline. 

But the real trouble started in the 1800s, when European colonists came to the islands. They brought predators like weasels and cats. They also cleared forests where kakapo lived. The birds’ numbers plummeted. By the 1950s, people thought kakapo had died out completely.

But about 40 years ago, a group of kakapo were discovered on one of New Zealand’s islands. Since then, scientists and volunteers have cared for the birds. They hope that someday, kakapo will be able to survive on their own.

New Zealand has many islands. Kakapo once lived across them. The birds were hunted by the Indigenous New Zealanders for centuries. They are known as Maori people. That caused kakapo numbers to slowly drop. 

But the real trouble started in the 1800s. That’s when European colonists came to the islands. They brought predators like cats, rats, and weasels. They also cut down forests where kakapo lived. The birds’ numbers fell. People thought kakapo had totally died out by the 1950s.

But something happened about 40 years ago. A group of Kakapo were found. They were on one of New Zealand’s islands. Scientists and volunteers began caring for the birds. They hope kakapo will be able to survive on their own someday.

There’s a reason that kakapo are so strange. Hundreds of millions of years ago, the islands that are now New Zealand were connected to a much larger landmass. About 85 million years ago, they broke away from that land. The plants and animals in New Zealand evolved separately from the rest of the world. That’s why much of its wildlife can’t be found anywhere else.

Kakapo have adaptations that help them survive in New Zealand’s forests. They use sharp claws to climb trees. Whisker-like feathers allow them to feel nearby objects at night. Large ears help kakapo sense their surroundings and find their way in the dark. 

Unfortunately, kakapo don’t have adaptations to help them defend against predators like rats, cats, and weasels. When those creatures arrived in the 1800s, they caused many native animals to become extinct. People wondered: Was the kakapo gone too?

There’s a reason kakapo are so strange. New Zealand looked different a long time ago. Its islands were connected to a much larger piece of land. They broke away from that land about 85 million years ago. Plants and animals evolved on the islands. They changed over time apart from the rest of the world. That’s why much of New Zealand’s wildlife can’t be found anywhere else.

Kakapo have adaptations that help them survive in New Zealand’s forests. The birds use sharp claws to climb trees. They have whisker-like feathers that allow them to feel nearby objects at night. Large ears help kakapo hear. That way they can sense their surroundings in the dark. 

But kakapo don’t have ways to defend against predators. These animals arrived long ago in New Zealand. They caused many native animals to become extinct. People wondered if the kakapo died out too. 

In 1949, the New Zealand government began sending out rangers to search for kakapo. In 1977, about 200 birds were found on Stewart Island. But there was a problem: Wild cats were hunting the birds. Over the next 18 years, workers relocated the kakapo to three small islands. “If they weren’t moved, they would have disappeared,” says Jeynes. 

Still, by 1995 the predators had caused the bird population to drop to just 51 birds. That year, New Zealand founded the group Kakapo Recovery to help restore the birds’ population on the protected islands.

The New Zealand government began sending out rangers in 1949 to search for kakapo. About 200 birds were found in 1977. They were on Stewart Island. But wild cats were hunting the birds. Workers moved the kakapo to three small islands over the next 18 years. “If they weren’t moved, they would have disappeared,” says Jeynes. 

Still, by 1995, the predators had caused a lot of damage. Just 51 birds remained. New Zealand founded Kakapo Recovery that year to help increase the birds’ numbers. 

Each kakapo on the islands wears a radio transmitter. These devices send data to scientists, including each bird’s location. Rangers regularly catch and examine the birds. Scientists take blood samples and check for signs of illness. The birds have unique personalities, says Jeynes. Some are shy, while others are friendly and playful.

If a mother has more eggs than she can care for, rangers may take some to a hatchery and rear the chicks. Once a chick hatches and is growing well, it can be returned to its mother. 

The scientists set traps for predators that may swim to the islands or arrive there in boats. It’s a battle to keep the islands predator-free.

Each kakapo on the protected islands wears a tracker. These devices send data to scientists. They tell the scientists each bird’s location. Rangers often catch and check the birds. Scientists take blood samples. They look for signs of illness. The birds each have their own personalities, says Jeynes. Some are shy. Others are friendly and playful.

Sometimes, a mother has more eggs than she can care for. Rangers may take some eggs and care for them. The chicks hatch and grow. Then they can be returned to their mother.  

The scientists set traps for predators. The animals may swim to the islands. Or they a hitch a ride on boats. It’s a battle to keep the islands free of predators.