Meet the Kakapo, the World’s Only Flightless Parrot

If we told you there was a species of parrot in the world that can’t fly, would you believe us? We couldn’t believe it ourselves until we saw this wild YouTube video. Those cute little creatures are called kakapos, or moss chickens, and they’re native to New Zealand. But why can’t they fly, and why don’t we hear more about these adorable critters? After you learn more about this amazing flightless creature, you may have a new favorite bird!

What is a Kakapo?

A kakapo is a species in the parrot family. It is the heaviest type of parrot in the world and the only one that cannot fly. The green feathers and rugged appearance are why the parrot is often called the moss chicken. Because of their appearance, many people mistake kakapos for another bird called the kea, but the kea is different and can fly.

The kakapo is native to New Zealand. Since their numbers are dwindling, they technically only live on three islands off New Zealand’s coast: Codfish Island (Whenua Hou), Anchor Island, and Little Barrier Island (Hauturu-o-Toi). The kakapos shown in the video are being cared for at a wildlife hospital. They live in forests and primarily eat plants, fruits, seeds, leaves, and nuts.

Similar to other birds, such as the Andean cock-of-the-rock, mating takes place in competitive displays known as leks. Every 2–4 years, all the males gather and perform competitive displays to attract the attention of females. Typically, the loudest male gets the most mates. The females nest on the ground and lay 1–4 eggs during a nesting period.

Kakapos are Flightless Birds

In the video, the kakapos are having a fun time rolling around and being super cute. Although they may enjoy playing with toys, the main reason kakapos stay on the ground is that they cannot fly.

Why Can’t Kakapos Fly?

It may be a bit confusing to see a typical-looking bird with wings that can’t fly, but there are many reasons why this is so. For starters, kakapos lack the primary body part that enables other birds to fly. It’s called a keel. This structure is located in a bird’s sternum and is connected to the flight muscles that allow most birds to flap their wings and take off.

Another reason kakapos can’t fly is that their wings are too small to lift them off the ground. Weighing up to nine pounds, kakapos would need much stronger wings to become airborne, which simply isn’t possible. However, their wings are not completely useless. Kakapos can glide very short distances of three to four meters. While this is more of a controlled fall than true flight, it is still noteworthy.

Kakapos Get Around in Other Ways

While kakapos can’t fly, they can get up into trees due to their ability to climb. Kakapos compensate for their small wings with strong claws, which they use to climb various trees, including native rimu trees. Kakapos also have strong legs, which allow them to travel long distances. Many kakapos can walk up to three miles at a time, and they can move quickly when necessary.

Can You Keep a Kakapo as a Pet?

Though it may sound like a fun idea, you cannot keep one as a pet. The main reason is that the kakapo population is dwindling and conservation efforts are ongoing. So, it’s not only a bad idea to have one as a pet—it’s also illegal. Even if you could have one as a pet, you wouldn’t see it very often. Kakapos are nocturnal, so they would be active at night while you are sleeping.

Kakapos are Endangered

As mentioned, the kakapo population is in trouble. Kakapos can live an astoundingly long time, often between 40 and 80 years. However, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species lists the kakapos as “Critically Endangered.” As of this year, the official kakapo population is over 250 individuals, according to the New Zealand Department of Conservation.

This species once lived throughout New Zealand, but their population began to decline after people started hunting them with dogs. Later, people introduced rats to the area, which often ate kakapo eggs and chicks. Eventually, more predators—including eagles, falcons, and cats—were introduced, causing the kakapo population to decline rapidly.

Current conservation efforts include providing predator-free sanctuaries, offering supplemental feedings, and promoting artificial incubation. Additionally, every living kakapo is named and monitored, so researchers always know each bird’s location. The bottom line is that kakapos are adorable and they’re a lot of fun to watch, but they need help. If you’re ever lucky enough to visit New Zealand and see a kakapo, observe it from a distance. Maybe one day, this majestic species will thrive again.