Our company, Kakapo Energy was named after the Kakapo bird or the ‘owl parrot’ as it is sometimes known. They are a rare parrot in New Zealand who won New Zealand’s ‘Bird of the Year’ award for the second time last year.
Here at Kakapo, we provide businesses with cheaper energy solutions that will also help your business to go as green as a Kakapo bird when it comes to your power sources.
We care about cutting down on the day to day running costs for your business. And true to our name, we achieve this for companies by decreasing their negative environmental impacts through offering alternative energy solutions.
But what does a Kakapo and Stephen Fry have in common? Read on to find out more about the brilliant bird which has inspired our name.
1. The Kakapo is the world’s heaviest parrot
Males can weigh up to 4 kg. Their appearance has earned them many nicknames, including ‘fattest parrot’ and ‘mighty moss chicken’!
2. Small animals with big voices
Kakapos mate every 2-4 years with a 2-4 month saying season os males competing for the females. The males develop large air cavities in their chest which they expand to make a ‘boom’ call and a high pitched ‘skraak’ sound to attract a mate. The low-frequency ‘booming’ call is so deep that it can carry for as far as 3 miles.
3. They are ground dwelling animals
They may look cute and fluffy but they are actually a flightless bird – the only ones in the world in fact. However, their beautiful plumage is not just for show. They use their wings as a parachute when jumping of trees that they have climbed. They also use them for balance and support when they are walking.
4. Age is just a number
Parrots are known for living long lives and the Kakapo can live for 60 years at least.
5. They smell great
The Kakapo gives off a musty-sweet scent. As they have a great sense of smell themselves, smelling good is important to them, especially when breeding.
6. When Stephen met Sirocco
In 2009, a year after winning their first ‘Bird of the Year’ award, one Kakapo in particular, named Sirocco, went viral after trying to mate with a zoologist’s head on camera. Sirocco was filmed for the BBC Documentary Last Chance To See with Stephen Fry who added his live commentary to the whole viral event. We see why another nickname for the bird is the ‘party parrot’.
7. They have unique defence tactics
When predators are nearby, the Kakapo freezes and relies on their colour to blend into their surroundings until the predator has left. However whilst this works when a predatory bird is lying overhead, their odour still attracts other mammals, leaving them open to threats from cats and stoats.
8. You can adopt a Kakapo!
The Kakapo bird is a critically endangered species and conservation efforts have been going for years to help them with their breeding. There are currently only 205 Kakapo birds alive today.
To help combat this, the Department of Conservation has set up an adoption programme for these green birds. Whether you want to adopt Flossie, Ralph or simply donate what you can one-off donation, you’ll be helping to support the conservation effort for these beautiful birds.