The population of the kākāpō, the world’s heaviest parrot species, has reached 325 individuals following a successful breeding season, marking the first time the critically endangered bird has exceeded 300 in population since approximately 75 years ago. Ninety chicks were officially added to the population on the publication date, representing a record-breaking outcome for the species’ recovery efforts.
The kākāpō is notable as the world’s only nocturnal and flightless parrot. Historically abundant across New Zealand, the species experienced severe population decline after the introduction of predators including cats and stoats, with numbers dwindling to near-extinction by the early 1900s. A dedicated recovery program commenced in 1995 with just 51 birds, and has worked to address ongoing challenges related to genetic diversity, infertility, and poor hatching success rates. All three existing breeding populations are maintained on predator-free islands located off New Zealand’s South Island.
The species has a unique reproductive cycle tied to the fruiting patterns of native rimu trees. Kākāpō breed only once every two to four years, specifically when rimu trees produce abundant berry harvests. After a four-year interval since the previous breeding season, this year’s bountiful rimu crop triggered breeding activity and yielded the highest number of chicks on record. Program officials noted that achieving similar chick production took 16 years during the recovery program’s early phases.
Kākāpō possess distinctive biological and behavioral characteristics. The birds can weigh up to 4 kilograms and have lifespans estimated between 60 and 80 years. Males gather in breeding aggregations called leks to produce a characteristic booming vocalization generated from air sacs in their chests while positioned in ground bowls; this sound can travel up to 5 kilometers. Females typically lay one to four eggs and provide sole care for roughly six months until chicks reach fledging age at approximately 150 days.
Conservation officials indicated that modeling suggests the next breeding season could occur as soon as 2028, with preparation efforts already underway to capitalize on future reproductive opportunities.
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