Kakapo
CR

Kakapo

Strigops habroptilus

Increasing

Photo: Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Owl Parrot faces severe threats from introduced mammalian predators, particularly stoats, cats, and rats, which prey on eggs, chicks, and adults of this flightless species. Habitat destruction from deforestation and human development has drastically reduced available nesting and foraging areas. The species' extremely slow reproductive rate, with females breeding only every 2-4 years when rimu fruit is abundant, makes population recovery exceptionally difficult.

Threat summary

Conservation measures underway

Species managementSpecies recoveryEx-situ conservationAwareness & communicationsLegislation

Other threatened species in STRIGOPIDAE

KeaEN

Kea

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New Zealand KakaVU

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Threatened in New Zealand

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Wrybill

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VU

Cook's Petrel

Pterodroma cookii

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VU

Pycroft's Petrel

Pterodroma pycrofti

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Kakapo classified as Critically Endangered?
Kakapo is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Owl Parrot faces severe threats from introduced mammalian predators, particularly stoats, cats, and rats, which prey on eggs, chicks, and adults of this flightless species. Habitat destruction from deforestation and human development has drastically reduced available nesting and foraging areas. The species' extremely slow reproductive rate, with females breeding only every 2-4 years when rimu fruit is abundant, makes population recovery exceptionally difficult.
Where does Kakapo live?
Kakapo occurs in New Zealand. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Kakapo?
The main threats to Kakapo are 8.1, and 8.2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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