Strigopidae bird family

Order Psittaciformes · 3 selected species

Browse verified BirdLens profiles selected for complete taxonomy, substantial descriptive coverage, and visual evidence. Open a species to compare its identification notes, distribution, behavior, sounds, and maps.

KakapoStrigops habroptilusNew Zealand’s largest endemic parrot. Flightless, nocturnal, and solitary, confined to several predator-free offshore islands. Adults have a moss-green coloring mottled with black and yellow on top. Shows gray legs, feet, and bill with a unique pale owl-like face. A solitary bird that forages on the ground and climbs trees at night. During the breeding season, males gather on lek-breeding “arenas,” a series of bowls and tracks where they give deep, resonating booming calls to attract females. Calls can carry several kilometers.

KakapoStrigops habroptilusNew Zealand’s largest endemic parrot. Flightless, nocturnal, and solitary, confined to several predator-free offshore islands. Adults have a moss-green coloring mottled with black and yellow on top. Shows gray legs, feet, and bill with a unique pale owl-like face. A solitary bird that forages on the ground and climbs trees at night. During the breeding season, males gather on lek-breeding “arenas,” a series of bowls and tracks where they give deep, resonating booming calls to attract females. Calls can carry several kilometers.

KeaNestor notabilisThe world's only true alpine parrot, found only on the South Island of New Zealand. Large, with olive-green plumage. Note scarlet underwings visible in flight. Females are smaller than males with shorter bills. Juveniles have a yellow eye-ring and a paler crown. Gives a distinct loud “keee-aaa” call, mostly in flight. Very inquisitive toward people and their cars within the mountain ranges, at ski fields, at huts, and along mountain roads. Distinguished from New Zealand Kaka by blue-green flight feathers, larger size, and alpine habitat.