Long-lived Whiskered Parrot Heaviest in World!Family planning in the animal kingdom?
The Kakapo, or owl parrot, is a species of nocturnal parrot found only in New Zealand. These birds carry many distinctions, among them being the heaviest and only flightless species of parrot in existance.
Once highly prized by the Maori as both food and friend, Kakapo are now critically endangered, as of May 2009 there were only 125 surviving. All known Kakapo are named.
With an average life expectancy of 95 years, Kakapo may also be the longest living birds on the planet.The long life expectancy has allowed for some interesting adaptations in the mating cycle. Females will only respond to the males calls every four to five years when trees mast or fruit heavily, thus ensuring a plentiful food supply. Females also appear to be able to influence the sex of their offspring to suit current conditions.
WHAT A COOL BIRD! Hope they survive.
http://www.nzbirds.com/birds/kakapo.htmlEndangered Kakapo makes Zoologist his B'tch youtube