About this species
The kākāpō (Māori: [ˈkaːkaːpɔː]; pl.: kākāpō; Strigops habroptilus), sometimes known as the owl-parrot, is a species of large, nocturnal, ground-dwelling parrot of the superfamily Strigopoidea. It is endemic to New Zealand. Kākāpō can be up to 64 cm (25 in) long. They have a combination of unique traits among parrots: finely blotched yellow–green plumage, a distinct facial disc, owl-like forward-facing eyes with surrounding discs of specially textured feathers, a large grey beak, short legs, large blue feet, relatively short wings and a short tail. It is the world's only flightless parrot, the world's heaviest parrot, and also is nocturnal, herbivorous, visibly sexually dimorphic in body size, has a low basal metabolic rate, and does not have male parental care.
Where it occurs
Now mostly Codfish Island (=Whenua Hou, west of Stewart Island); formerly North, South, and Stewart islands (New Zealand); extremely rare and intensively managed.
Why names can differ
Wikipedia currently lists this bird as Strigops habroptila; the name shown here follows AviList v2025b.
Conservation record
AviList v2025b records this species as critically endangered. Assessments and taxonomy can change; follow the source checklist for updates.
