Kākāpō is a rare parrot of New Zealand. It now survives only in beech forests in Fiordland and on Stewart Island, off the coast of the South Island. Some kākāpō have also been released on Little Barrier Island, near Auckland, in an effort to save the birds from extinction.
The kākāpō is one of the largest parrots in the world. It can reach about 2 feet (60 centimeters) in length and weigh up to 8 pounds (3.5 kilograms). Its feathers are green with black and brown bars. The kākāpō is the only flightless parrot. But it can use its stubby wings to glide short distances. It normally travels along the ground, clearing tracks through the bush, low scrub, and grass. Kākāpō are nocturnal, meaning they sleep during the day and are active at night. They have large, forward-facing eyes to help them see in the dark.
Kākāpō eat a variety of foods, including leaves, berries, and fern roots. The birds nest in large natural crevices or in burrows. Female kākāpō usually lay from two to four white eggs.
