15th October
Sometimes referred to as an Owl
Parrot due to its moon-like face, the bird is nocturnal and entirely
vegetarian, feeding mainly on flowers, roots and leaves.
While our specimen is slightly
faded in colour, the Kakapo is usually a bright mossy green with dappled yellow
and black.
This camouflage allows the Kakapo
some protection against birds who hunt above the forest using sight, but is of
little use against mammals who hunt using smell. Before the arrival of humans
the Kakapo was common throughout New Zealand’s forests, but became vulnerable
to attack from introduced species such as rats and cats. The bird is now
heavily monitored and managed on predator-free islands.
This specimen is believed to have
travelled to the museum in the latter half of the 19th century, although its
precise history is uncertain. Worcester had become a lively centre for natural
history research and learning by this period, with the founding of the
Worcestershire Natural History Society and other dedicated groups creating and
promoting their own collections.
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