Kākāpō eating berries, Codfish Island
The kākāpō (night parrot) is one of New Zealand's unique 'treasures' and with only 126 known surviving birds - including 11 new chicks born in 2011 - it is listed internationally as a critically endangered species.
Large, flightless and nocturnal, the kākāpō is an eccentric parrot which can live for decades. It is not closely related to other parrots and, in fact, has a combination of biological features not shared by any other species. It is the only representative of a unique sub-family, Strigops habroptilus, and the softness of its plumage is represented in the second part of that scientific name. With mottled moss-green feathers, camouflage is the bird's main form of defence.
Rio Tinto Aluminium (New Zealand) Ltd has sponsored the kākāpō recovery programme since 1990. Scientific research and operational support have provided a stronger foundation for the recovery of kākāpō, one of the the world's rarest parrots.
Learn all about the world's only flightless parrot - the kākāpō. This critically endangered bird has a combination of biological features not shared by any other species.
Introduced predators nearly wiped out kākāpō. Find out about other threats to this unique species.
Learn about the Kākāpō Recovery Programme and the National Kākāpō Team's efforts to increase kākāpō numbers.
Find out ways you can help save New Zealand's kākāpō.
A kākāpō who thinks he's human, Sirocco is a conservation ambassador for his species and a media superstar.
Read the diaries of kākāpō rangers who are living on small offshore islands to help save this incredible parrot.
Tree planting for attracting native birds
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