World's fattest parrot is New Zealand's bird of the year for 2020
- Published
- comments
Say hello to the k膩k膩p艒 - the world's heaviest parrot.
It's been named New Zealand's bird of the year for a second time!
The k膩k膩p艒 - also known as "mighty moss chicken" - first won in 2008.
It's an endangered species, but due to conservation efforts the population of this parrot has risen from 50 during the 1990s to 213 now.
Organisers said the competition has improved environmental awareness in the country.
Facts about the k膩k膩p艒
It's the world's fattest and longest-living parrot.
This chunky creature is the only parrot in the world that can't fly. Instead, they hop along the floor using their wings for balance.
They used to live throughout New Zealand but now only survive on predator-free islands.
The k膩k膩p艒 has been described as the 'party parrot' after one mated with a zoologist's head during a 麻豆官网首页入口 documentary.
Male k膩k膩p艒 attract females with a loud booming call.
A dangerous fungal infection is affecting these birds. Since April, 36 birds - a fifth of their population - have been sent to animal hospitals.
Laura Keown, spokesperson for the competition, said: "The things that make k膩k膩p艒 unique also make them vulnerable to threats. They are slow breeders, they nest on the ground and their main defence is to imitate a shrub.
"Those qualities worked great in the island of birds the k膩k膩p艒 evolved in but they don't fool introduced predators like stoats, rats and cats."
What do you make of these magnificent birds? Let us know in the comments below.
- Published17 November 2020
- Published29 October 2020
- Published28 October 2020
