Will Kakapo Breed in 2007?

The Rimu tree of New Zealand fruits prolifically every two to five years, triggering a good nesting year for kakapo. Is 2007 the year?

The kakapo is a unique flightless parrot native to New Zealand. The species came so near to extinction that only 21 adult females were left. All of the world’s known Kakapo now live on protected islands where their numbers are slowly increasing. They breed successfully in years when the Rimu tree produces abundant fruit, an event that only occurs every two to five years.

The year 2002 was a good year for the Rimu tree and for the kakapo on Whenua Hou Island. Twenty-four kakapo chicks joined the species. Will 2007 be another good year? Kakapo breeding begins in December. You can check the Kakapo Recovery Programme website for updates on the 2007 breeding season.

Read about kakapo:

Kakapo, Flightless Parrots

Sources:

Perrins, Christopher ed. Firefly Encyclopedia of Birds. New York: Firefly Books, 2003.