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world1d ago
Berry nice to meet you: bumper fruit crop could lead to huge mating season for NZ’s endangered kākāpō
- The kākāpō may breed this summer due to a mega-mast of rimu berries in New Zealand.
- Kākāpō breed only every two to four years when rimu trees fruit heavily.
- Conservationists hope the mega-mast could boost chick numbers after four years without breeding.
- There are three kākāpō breeding populations on predator-free islands near New Zealand’s south coast.
- The recovery programme grew the population from 51 to 236 birds since 1995.
- Mating involves a lek where males boom to attract mates, with eggs laid by females.
- Females take sole responsibility for eggs and hatched chicks for about six months.
- Kākāpō can live 60–80 years and weigh up to 4 kg, with climbing ability aiding feeding.
- There is concern about space for growing kākāpō populations on predator-free habitats.
- The kākāpō is New Zealand’s iconic nocturnal, flightless parrot facing long-term conservation challenges.
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