Kakapos are flightless parrots that only live in New Zealand. They are one of the world’s most endangered parrots. Once, there were just 40 left. But now there are 200 of them, because scientists are trying to save them and giving them whole new islands to live!
They are huge: they can weigh up to nine pounds! Like a small dog! I weighted this much when I was born! They are green and yellow with brown spots.
They are very strange eaters: they dig holes to find roots and crush them with their beak. They also walk long distances to feeding areas to chew plants for their juices and leave crumpled leaves hanging from the plants.
They mate in “leks”. These are breeding areas, usually on top of a hill, where they come from afar. Males dig holes and make loud booming sounds to attract females. These sounds can be heard 5 km (2.5 miles) away! After breeding, females go back home and raise chicks alone. Females do not breed every year, they produce eggs only every 3-5 years. This is also why there were not so many of kakapos left.
After the Coronavirus is over, I want to go to New Zealand to photograph kakapos in the wild. Unfortunately, it is very difficult, because nobody but scientists are allowed on these islands.
I think that you will definitely go there. If not now, then in a few years. Good luck to you!