ScienceAugust 16, 2026

kakapo

KAH-kuh-poh

Definition

A flightless, nocturnal, ground-dwelling parrot native to New Zealand, known for being active in low-light environments.

Etymology

Derived from the Māori words 'kākā' (parrot) and 'pō' (night), literally meaning 'night parrot', reflecting its nocturnal behavior.

In the news

The article mentions the kakapo as a point of comparison, noting that its visual brain structures share similarities with the dodo, suggesting both birds evolved for low-light activity.

Scientists have reconstructed the dodo's brain from CT scans of its skull and found an oversized smell centre and forward-facing, owl-like eyes — the bird that became shorthand for stupidity appears to have been navigating Mauritius by nose, and in the dark

Read the full article ↗

ScienceBlog.com

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