AYESHA RASCOE, HOST:
Now, as some of you might know, I'm not a fan of birds. But I'm prepared to make an exception for the kakapo, found only in New Zealand.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
RASCOE: It's the heaviest parrot in the world, weighing as much as 8 pounds.
(SOUNDBITE OF KAKAPO CHEEPING)
RASCOE: And they sound pretty nice, right?
(SOUNDBITE OF KAKAPO CHEEPING)
RASCOE: The kakapo doesn't fly, which really wasn't a problem until Europeans settled New Zealand in the 19th century. They brought non-native predators such as rats and cats, and that was a disaster for a parrot that couldn't get off the ground. Kakapo numbers plunged. Today scientists estimate there are about 230 of the parrots left. The kakapo doesn't breed like rabbits. They take their sweet time. And on that front, there's good news. For the first time in four years, the birds are feeling the love, and that's because they only breed when the native rimu tree undergoes a mast fruiting event. And - Polly want a berry? The fruit provides essential nutrition to the parrots. And the trees are producing so much of it this year that there are hopes for a record-breaking breeding season - scientists say maybe more than 50 new chicks. And what that might mean is their rather unusual bird calls...
(SOUNDBITE OF KAKAPO WHEEZING)
RASCOE: ...Might not be as rare as they were in the past.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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