Deep within the predator-free islands and ancient forests of New Zealand, an extraordinary wildlife story is unfolding. The kākāpō — a strange, heavy, flightless parrot with an owl-like face and a personality that has charmed conservationists worldwide — is experiencing one of its most important breeding windows in years. The reason is simple yet powerful: an exceptional berry harvest.. AI-Generated.
For the critically endangered kākāpō, food is more than nourishment. It is the signal that determines whether a generation will be born at all. When native trees produce large quantities of fruit, particularly rimu berries, the parrots enter breeding mode. This year’s bumper crop has triggered that rare biological switch, setting the stage for courtship, nesting, and the possibility of new chicks.
