Birds and Birding's Guide to:

Watching THE CUCKOO-LIKE BIRDS

THE PARROTS

Owl Parrot habitat

The Kakapo, according to native tradition, was once a very abundant bird in New Zealand, being found on North and South islands, but it has long since disappeared from the latter island, and is now so greatly reduced in numbers on the other as to be threatened with extermination. Its decadence is but another example of a native species going down before civilized man or the predaceous animals introduced by him.

Sir George Grey: “During the day it remains hidden in holes under the roots of trees or rocks, or very rarely perched on the boughs of trees with a very dense, thick foliage. At these times it appears stupid from its profound sleep, and if disturbed or taken from its hole, immediately runs and tries to hide itself again in a heap of soft dry grass.

About sunset it becomes lively, animated, and playful, issues forth from its retreat, and feeds on grass, weeds, vegetables, fruit, seeds, and roots. When eating grass, it grazes rather than feeds, nibbling the grass in the manner of a rabbit or wombat. It sometimes climbs trees, but generally remains upon the ground, and only uses its short wings for the purpose of aiding its progress when running, balancing itself when on a tree, or in making a short descent — half jump, half flight — from an upper to a lower bough. When feeding, if pleased with its food, it makes a continual grunting noise.

It is a greedy bird, choice in its food, showing an evident relish for anything of which it is fond. It cries repeatedly during the night, with a noise not very unlike that of the Kaka, but not so loud. The Kakapo is a very clever and intelligent bird, in fact, singularly so; contracts a strong affection for those that are kind to it; shows its'attachment by climbing about and rubbing itself against its friend; and is eminently a social and playful bird. It builds in holes under trees and rocks and lays two or three white eggs about the size of a pullet's in the month of February."

 

 

previous bird species next bird species