Record baby boom brings world’s heaviest parrot back from the brink
The population of the kākāpō, the world's heaviest parrot, has increased to 325 birds following a record breeding season. This growth includes 90 new chicks, marking the first time the population has exceeded 300 birds in up to 75 years. The species, native to New Zealand and classified as critically endangered, reached this milestone through decades of intensive conservation efforts by wildlife experts. The recent surge follows a period of intense mating activity that has helped pull the species back from the brink of extinction.
Listen to Live Briefing
Real-time synthesized voice briefing · Live Feeds Desk
- ✓ The kākāpō population has reached 325 birds.
- ✓ The world's heaviest parrot previously had only 51 birds remaining.
- ✓ The population has crossed the 300-bird mark for the first time in up to 75 years.
- ✓ A record breeding season included 90 new chicks.
What changed
The population has risen to 325 birds, surpassing the 300-bird threshold for the first time in 75 years.
Live updates
-
Kākāpō population reaches 325 birds after record breeding season
The population of the kākāpō, the world's heaviest parrot, has increased to 325 birds following a record breeding season. This growth includes 90 new chicks, marking the first time the population has exceeded 300 birds in up to 75 years. The species, native to New Zealand and classified as critically endangered, reached this milestone through decades of intensive conservation efforts by wildlife experts. The recent surge follows a period of intense mating activity that has helped pull the species back from the brink of extinction.
Why it matters
The kākāpō once dwindled to a critical low of only 51 birds. These flightless parrots require specialized management to survive predation and habitat loss. The current population growth represents a significant recovery milestone for one of the world's rarest birds.
What is confirmed
- The kākāpō population has reached 325 birds.
- The world's heaviest parrot previously had only 51 birds remaining.
- The population has crossed the 300-bird mark for the first time in up to 75 years.
- A record breeding season included 90 new chicks.
What to watch next
- Updates on the survival rate of the 90 new chicks
- Further population growth milestones toward removal from the critically endangered list
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (12)
- NBC News — Record baby boom brings world’s heaviest parrot back from the brink
- The New York Times — Critically Endangered Parrots Enjoy Baby Boom After Mating Frenzy
- stuff.co.nz — Kākāpō hit milestone not seen for up to 75 years
- The Times of India — New Zealand’s world’s heaviest parrot was on the brink with only 51 birds left; now after decades of intensive conservation by wildlife experts, its population has surged to 325
- thepress.co.nz — Kākāpō population soars to 325
- The Guardian — Kākāpō rising: 90 chicks swell population of the world’s heaviest parrot
- Department of Conservation — Kākāpō population reaches new milestone: Media release 1 September 2026
- GK Today — New Zealand Kākāpō Population Reaches 325 Birds
- Chris Lynch Media — Kākāpō population reaches 325 after record breeding season
- Indianweekender — NZ’s world's heaviest endangered parrot makes a remarkable comeback
- Moneycontrol.com — Kakapo population crosses 300 for first time in 75 years — What helped New Zealand’s rare parrot make...
- Rare Bird Alert — Record breeding season lifts Kakapo population to 325
Community Sentiment: How do you assess this situation?
Voice your perspective · Real-time aggregated sentiment from the Live Feeds community