One of the most unique birds living in different parts of our planet is considered to be kakapo. To argue with this statement is quite difficult, since the parrot kakapo is the representative of a few species of flightless birds. The maximum that a bird is capable of is planning for a distance of no more than thirty meters. In the process of evolution, because of the uselessness of long-distance travel, the Kakapo lost the opportunity to conquer the vastness of the heavens.
Unique features inherent only in these parrots:
- lack of ability to fly;
- the basic vital activity is most active at night;
- long-livers - some individuals can overcome the age-old boundary;
- Have a surprisingly pleasant smell, which allows you to attract individuals to each other;
- giants - are among the largest parrots in the world .
Appearance
You can not call kakapo color unusual. Exotic in appearance, birds are few, they look patronizing and important. In the upper part of the body, green and yellowish shades are mixed, which are diluted with spots of brown and black. The bottom is yellow. This coloring allows the bird to be camouflaged in the grass and foliage of trees. By the way, in spite of the fact that these parrots do not know how to fly, they climb trees perfectly.
The tail of a kakapo or an owl parrot can not boast of itself. For the most part, he trails behind the master on the ground. Hence the external shabby. The feathers are soft to the surprise. Given that they appear to be quite tough. The legs are fully developed for foot movement, covered with scales. There are claws in the quantity of four pieces pair-wise bent in different directions (two fingers inward, two fingers outwards).
The owl parrot kakapo was named due to the special form of "face" very similar to the representatives of the family of owls. In the dark they are guided by sensitive hairs, located around the hooked beak.
Kakapo attracts a lot of attention not only for its unusual way of life and appearance, but also for non-standard sizes for many species of parrots. Males can weigh up to 4 kilograms. The maximum weight of females is about 2 kilograms. The size of the bird can reach up to 60 centimeters.
Habitat of Kakapo
The most densely populated parrots are Kakapo wet New Zealand forests. During the day, they hide in earthen depressions (burrows) or nests built among rocks. As a "home", flightless kakapo birds can use rotten stumps. With the onset of darkness they go out to seek food. They can climb trees. Down go down, jumping off with open wings, which replace them with a parachute. They feed on kakapo on pre-occupied territories and very rarely leave them. The dimensions of the nests can reach up to 30 centimeters in height and almost twice the diameter.
Diet of the parrot kakapo
In the natural habitat the diet of kakapo is rather monotonous:
- seeds;
- plants;
- berries;
- sapwood (outer young layers of wood);
- pollen.
The presence of a small pharynx is compensated by a powerful beak, by which the bird kakapo crushes the food suitable for itself. These parrots do not differ in stockiness.
The territory of the place of feeding of birds is easy to determine. They rarely leave their habitable places, leaving traces of their stay. The standard "sites" of the residence of kakapo can reach from 10 to 100 square meters.
Unfortunately, the population of these unusual birds is sharply reduced. Eggs of flightless parrots are eaten by various rodents, and adults suffer from martens and poachers.