K\u0101k\u0101p\u014d, the world\u2019s only nocturnal and flightless parrot, were once abundant across\u00a0New Zealand. But their population plummeted after the introduction of predators such as cats and stoats. By the 1900s, they were nearly extinct.<\/p>\n
A recovery programme was established in 1995 with a population of just 51 birds and has battled challenges with genetic diversity, infertility and poor chick hatching rates. There are three k\u0101k\u0101p\u014d breeding populations, all based on predator-free islands off the South Island.<\/p>\n
K\u0101k\u0101p\u014d breed only every two to four years when the native rimu trees produce large numbers of berries, so repopulation is slow. This year, after a four-year wait,\u00a0a bountiful harvest\u00a0of rimu berries prompted the birds to breed and produce a record number of chicks.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the early years of recovery, it took 16 years to produce that many chicks,\u201d Vercoe said.<\/p>\n
K\u0101k\u0101p\u014d are thought to live between 60 and 80 years, can weigh up to 4kg and are famously entertaining. More than 100,000 people tuned in\u00a0to watch a live stream of a k\u0101k\u0101p\u014d\u00a0sleeping, eating and attending to her nest and chicks during breeding season.<\/p>\n
The parrots have unusual mating rituals. Male birds gather in a \u201clek\u201d to produce a distinctive booming sound, emitted from air sacs in their chests while sitting in a dugout bowl in the ground. The deep boom, which can travel up to 5km, sounds similar to a softly plucked cello string.<\/p>\n
After choosing a partner and mating, females typically lay one to four eggs. The females become solely responsible for their eggs and hatched chicks for roughly six months.<\/p>\n
At 150 days of age, the chicks are fledged and considered independent enough to be added to the total population. The youngest chick of the 2026 breeding season was female Awarua-A3, who hatched on 30 March.<\/p>\n
Modelling indicated the next breeding season could occur as soon as 2028, Vercoe said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, while we\u2019ll take a moment to stop and reflect on this remarkable year, we\u2019re already looking ahead to 2028 and preparing for what could come next.\u201d<\/p>\n