Record year for New Zealand’s rare kākāpō parrots as population tops 300

The New Zealand owl parrot (kākāpō) mates only every two to four years, when a certain type of tree bears fruit, and as spring approaches, 90 chicks have hatched. There are now 325 wild owl parrots - the largest number since efforts to save the species began in 1995, writes The Guardian .

The green birds can live to be 80 years old and weigh up to four kilograms. They are the only type of parrot that cannot fly and have therefore been severely targeted by introduced predators such as cats and stoats.

They are now found only on predator-free islands off the coast of the South Island.