kākāpō
The heaviest parrot in the world and perhaps the longest lived, estimated to be able to reach 90 years of age!
Photo: Nathan Wakley
kākāpō
Strigops habroptilus
New Zealand Status: Endemic
Conservation Status: Nationally critical
Lifespan: 50 - 90 years!
Size: 58-64cm (bigger than a kākā)
Weight: Up to 4kg for males
-Predation by introduced predators. This includes eggs in unattended nests.
-Low genetic diversity. There are just over 240 Kākāpō left in the world!
Is it a kākāpō?
Look for: If you've seen a parrot at Sanctuary Mountain then it's almost definitely a kākā. Kākāpō are nocturnal and are the masters of camouflage, blending into ferns, plants and mosses.
Listen for: At night, kākāpō males make booming and chinging sounds to attract females during the breeding season.
Did you know?
Kākāpō are the only lek-breeding parrot species in the world. Males create a bowl that they sit in and then make a deep booming call along with a loud wheezing call to attract mates.
Kākāpō at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari
We are privileged to whāngai (foster) three Ngāi Tahu kākāpō on the maunga. These birds are not on public display. They are not in the Southern or Northern Enclosures, they are living on the main mountain (3400ha). This makes spotting them very difficult, especially when you add in the fact that they are nocturnal (kākāpō means parrot of the night) and masters of camouflage. When visiting Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari it is a great privilege to know that you are walking in the same habitat in the presence of critically endangered kākāpō. These manu arrived from Whenua Hou, and Anchor Island. They are all males and are solitary, potentially occupying the same home range for many years. They are teaching us a lot about kākāpō behaviour in a fenced sanctuary environment, especially as it's the first time they've been on mainland Aotearoa for over forty years. The pest-proof fence provides the predator free habitat they need while we have plenty of rimu, one of their favourite food sources. Plus, there's plenty of room and peaks to boom! Know that by visiting, you directly support us to take care of these precious taonga.