Today I’m celebrating the reproductive success of New Zealand’s kākāpōs (Strigops habroptilus). The gorgeously goofy flightless parrots are caring for more than 240 eggs this year in response to a bumper crop of berries from the rimu tree (Dacrydium cupressinum). Kākāpō mating is triggered by an abundant rimu ‘mast’ year, and this is the first since 2022. There were only 236 kākāpōs at the start of the year, so every chick that survives will be very welcome.
Nature Briefing
