Beast of The Day #2: Kakapo- The Flightless Owl Parrot

natord (66)in #nature • 7 years ago (edited)

Don't know who you like more: owls or parrots? Nature has taken care of this dilemma, and created Kakapo, also called owl parrot. However, he also has a bit from ostriches and penguins, Kakapo can't fly.

These birds from New Zealand lost the ability to fly for a long time ago. For a long time they lived in the areas with lack of natural predators, therefore, the muscles of the wings atrophied, but they have pumped legs.

This is the heaviest parrots in the world, the weight of males can reach 4 kg, and their body length can reach 60 cm.

Despite the inability to fly, they can run very fast and climbing trees to a height of 30-40 meters. Perhaps, they don't want to completely forget what is a flight, so they like to plan with trees.

This species adheres to the nocturnal lifestyle. As a dwelling. Kakapo digs a hole under the roots of trees, in which he sleep before dark. Main food: berries and plant juice. It is curious that this parrot very rarely change their feeding route. You can be sure that will always find Kakapo in the same place he was yesterday.

Kakapo have a very strong smell- it is a pleasant, honey-floral scent. Thanks to this smell, birds recognize each other.

Due to the lack of enemies in nature, they were totally unprepared for the arrival of the European colonists. Parrots have became easy prey for cats, dogs and of course for humans. The first Europeans didn't listen to the local Maori population, which have noticed that Kakapo breed very slowly. Maori asked don't kill the large birds - the males, which was so much less than females.

Bright plumage- is the main reason for hunting Kakapo.

Kakapo have lost any protective mechanisms. When frightened they just freeze on the spot and can't move. Therefore, even a child can catch them.

In 1970 scientists were able to detect only 18 surviving individuals in the wild, they all were males. It seemed that Kakapo were doomed, and will die one by one. But, a few years later, people found the island, with the small population of these parrots.

Owl parrot is the record holder for longevity. In the wild it can live up to 95 years.

In 2009, according to official statistics, the entire population of these birds numbered only 125 individuals. They all live on specially protected areas, and the local people together with scientists actively fighting for their survival.