Kakapo (Owl Parrot)

About Kakapo (owl parrot): 

• It is a large, nocturnal, flightless, lek-breeding parrot.
• Appearance:
  • It has a pale owl-like face.
  • It consists moss green mottled with yellow and black above, and similar but more yellow below.
  • The bill is grey, and the legs and feet grey with pale soles.
• These are remarkable and unusual birds, found only in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• They only breed every few years, triggered by the availability of certain forest foods such as the fruits of the native rimu tree.
• Threats:
  • This bird suffers from diseases such as the fungal infection aspergillosis and many of their eggs are infertile.
• Conservation status
  • IUCN: Critically Endangered

What is lek-breeding?

• A lek is an aggregation of males that gather to engage in competitive displays that may entice visiting females who are surveying prospective partners for copulation. 

Q1) What is  Aspergillosis?

Aspergillosis is a group of fungal infections caused by the Aspergillus species. These fungi are commonly found in the environment, particularly in soil, decaying vegetation, and compost piles.

Source: How gene mapping almost all remaining kākāpō will help NZ’s rare night parrot survive

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