The kākāpō is a large, nocturnal parrot endemic to New Zealand. It cannot fly and has moss-green plumage mottled with yellow and black. It now occurs only on forested islands, where the population is intensively managed to protect it from introduced predators.
It is large and bulky, with a pale owl-like face. The moss-green upperparts are mottled with yellow and black; the underside is similar but more yellow. The bill and legs are grey.
Kākāpō are nocturnal, flightless parrots. In managed New Zealand populations, heavy rimu fruiting accompanies breeding. Males display on track-and-bowl systems; females incubate and raise chicks.
Backpack transmitters and nest equipment provide location and behavioural information. Remote monitoring detected the start of the 2026 breeding season.
At the season’s start, managers announced plans for more eggs to hatch in nests and less intervention where appropriate. Monitoring and predator-invasion prevention support the aim of self-sustaining populations.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.
Introduced predators threaten kākāpō. Recovery combines island biosecurity, health and nest monitoring, with supplementary food and chick care when needed.