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Status in the Wild

World Population:
125 (2009)

Range: Restricted (translocated) to Maud, Inner Chetwode, Pearl and Codfish Islands, New Zealand.

Habitat:
Ground dweller of forest substrate and low scrubland. Formerly from sea-level to 1200m (3936 ft).

Threat Summary:
Decline due to habitat degradation and clearance, as well as introduction of predators such as stoats and cats. Birds were relocated to the various islands mentioned to escape these threats.

IUCN Rating:
Critically endangered.

Wild Diet:
Feed on leaves, roots, fruits, ferns, mosses, fungi and seeds. Food species include pink pine, stinkwood, rimu, Hall's totara and mountain flax. Also supplementation in the form of freeze-dried and frozen podocarp fruit, green walnuts and pine conelets, as well as a complete pellet.

CITES Rating:
Appendix I

Ecology:
Are lek breeders-males clear track and bowl systems where small bowl shaped areas are linked by pathways, often up on ridges where sound will carry. From there, at night, the booming sounds of the males carry far and wide to attract females. Booming may be stimulated by an abundance of pollen early in summer, indicating that sufficient food will be available for families. Normally solitary outside breeding season.

Clutch and Egg Size:
2 to 4 ovoid eggs, more pointed at one end, 50.5 x 36.5mm (2 x 1.4 in).

Breeding Season:
January-April

Project Status (WPT):
WPT has been supporting the Kakapo Recovery Programme through donation of funds and veterinary expertise.
See: http://www.parrots.org/index.php/ourwork/pp_kakapo/

Links to Other Project(s):
http://www.kakaporecovery.org.nz/kakapointro.html

http://www.conservationevidence.com/Attachments/PDF113.pdf

More Info Sites:
http://www.nzbirds.com/birds/kakapo.html

http://www.arkive.org/kakapo/strigops-habroptilus/

http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/news/060401_kakapo