Kākāpō, New Zealand’s flightless parrot, changed colour to escape largest ever eagles

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<header class="rows rows-gap"> <h1 class="entry-title row">Kākāpō changed colour to escape largest ever eagles</h1> <div class="row primary-image has-featured-image " data-featured-image="f2929d4a0b4e4643f8157f0b29249f92c48984cb.jpg"> </div> </header> <div class="entry-content cols-6 md-cols-1 cols-gap-1 margin-top-1"> <div class="content-left-sidebar cols-1 col"> <section class="contributors md-cols-1 rows-gap"> <div class="row post-date"> <span class="published-date">September 11, 2024</span> </div> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/evrim-yazgin/" class="author row md-hide"> <img src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA0MDAgNDAwIiB3aWR0aD0iNDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjQwMCIgZGF0YS11PSIlMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjIlMkYwOCUyRlRoZS1TY2llbmNlLUV4Y2hhbmdlLTI0LmpwZyIgZGF0YS13PSI0MDAiIGRhdGEtaD0iNDAwIiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=" data-spai="1" alt="Evrim Yazgin" width="200" /><noscript data-spai="1"><img src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/The-Science-Exchange-24.jpg" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Evrim Yazgin" width="200" /></noscript> <div class="bio"> <h3>Evrim Yazgin</h3> <p>Cosmos science journalist</p> </div> </a> <div id="author-name" class="hide"> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/evrim-yazgin/" class="bio"> By Evrim Yazgin </a> </div> <div class="favourite__wrapper row cols"> <button class="showDialog simplefavorite-button" aria-label="Favourite button"> </button> </div> </section> </div> <div class="primary-content cols-1 col-span-5 col"> <div class="flexible-content "> <div class="copy"> <p>Genetic analysis has revealed why New Zealand’s native flightless parrot, kākāpō, are just as likely to have green- or olive-coloured feathers.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" width="1000" height="500" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMDAwIDUwMCIgd2lkdGg9IjEwMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iNTAwIiBkYXRhLXU9IiUyRndwLWNvbnRlbnQlMkZ1cGxvYWRzJTJGMjAyNCUyRjA5JTJGMjZhOGYwYTdlOWIzN2YyOTc0YzVjMjg5YjQ4YmJlODU1YzE2ZjEzYy5qcGciIGRhdGEtdz0iMTAwMCIgZGF0YS1oPSI1MDAiIGRhdGEtYmlwPSIiPjwvc3ZnPg==" data-spai="1" alt="Feathers in circle frames on white background" class="wp-image-310999" title="kākāpō changed colour to escape largest ever eagles 1"><noscript data-spai="1"><img decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" width="1000" height="500" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/26a8f0a7e9b37f2974c5c289b48bbe855c16f13c.jpg" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Feathers in circle frames on white background" class="wp-image-310999" srcset="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/26a8f0a7e9b37f2974c5c289b48bbe855c16f13c.jpg 1000w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/26a8f0a7e9b37f2974c5c289b48bbe855c16f13c-600x300.jpg 600w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/26a8f0a7e9b37f2974c5c289b48bbe855c16f13c-768x384.jpg 768w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/26a8f0a7e9b37f2974c5c289b48bbe855c16f13c-300x150.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" title="kākāpō changed colour to escape largest ever eagles 1"></noscript><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Green vs olive kākāpo colours. Credit: Department of Conservation.</figcaption></figure> <p>Kākāpō (<em>Strigops habroptilus</em>) is a nocturnal bird which experienced severe population decline after the arrival in New Zealand of Europeans who brought with them new predators. By 1995, just 51 birds remained. Conservation efforts have seen the population rise to about 250 birds.</p> <p>The <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/history/palaeontology/new-zealand-species-kiwi-moa-australian-immigrants/">parrot’s ancestors</a> emerged on the ancient continent of Zealandia at the end of the ‘Age of Dinosaurs’ when the continent split from Gondwanaland.</p> <p>In the millions of years since, colour variation has evolved among kākāpō.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="674" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDY3NCIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iNjc0IiBkYXRhLXU9IiUyRndwLWNvbnRlbnQlMkZ1cGxvYWRzJTJGMjAyNCUyRjA5JTJGdW5uYW1lZC0zLmpwZyIgZGF0YS13PSIxMjAwIiBkYXRhLWg9IjY3NCIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+" data-spai="1" alt="Green flightless parrot kākāpō close up" class="wp-image-311001" title="kākāpō changed colour to escape largest ever eagles 2"><noscript data-spai="1"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="674" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/unnamed-3.jpg" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Green flightless parrot kākāpō close up" class="wp-image-311001" srcset="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/unnamed-3.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/unnamed-3-600x337.jpg 600w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/unnamed-3-768x431.jpg 768w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/unnamed-3-300x169.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" title="kākāpō changed colour to escape largest ever eagles 2"></noscript><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The kākāpō individual Hoki as an example of the green feather color polymorphism. Credit: Lydia Uddstrom, New Zealand Department of Conservation (CC-BY 4.0).</figcaption></figure> <p>The new research, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3002755" target="_blank" rel="noopener">published</a> in <em>PLOS Biology</em>, sought to explain different kākāpō colours. <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/birds/every-individual-kakapo-sequenced-in-latest-recovery-effort/">Genome sequences of 168 individuals</a> were analysed.</p> <p>Olive colour first appeared about 1.93 million years ago coinciding with the evolution of 2 predatory birds: Haast’s eagle and Eyles’ harrier. Both birds are believed to have become extinct soon after the arrival of Māori to the archipelago about 600 years ago.</p> <div class="advert ad-in-content ad-mobile auh-250"><div id="adn-00000000001fc2ca-i0p0" style="display: none"></div></div> <p>Haast’s eagle is the largest eagle known to have existed, weighing 10–18 kilograms.</p> <a href="https://link.cosmosmagazine.com/OP59" class="newsletter-cta" data-device="mobile"> <img decoding="async" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAzMDAgMjUwIiB3aWR0aD0iMzAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjI1MCIgZGF0YS11PSIlMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjQlMkYwMyUyRldlZWtseS1DYXRjaHVwLTMwMHgyNTAtMS5wbmciIGRhdGEtdz0iMzAwIiBkYXRhLWg9IjI1MCIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+" data-spai="1" alt="Newsletter" title="kākāpō changed colour to escape largest ever eagles 3"><noscript data-spai="1"><img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Weekly-Catchup-300x250-1.png" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Newsletter" title="kākāpō changed colour to escape largest ever eagles 3"></noscript> </a> <div class="in-content-area related-box-wrapper content-third content-right margin-bottom-1"> <div class="gradient-title">Read More</div> <ul class="related-box article-listing"> <li class="cols"> <div class="article article-post"> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/birds/how-avian-influenza-has-spread-to-antarctic-islands/" class="thumbnail ar-16-9" aria-label="Article link"> <span data-spai-bg-on="1" class="image" style="background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDY3NSIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iNjc1IiBkYXRhLXU9Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGY29zbW9zbWFnYXppbmUuY29tJTJGd3AtY29udGVudCUyRnVwbG9hZHMlMkYyMDI0JTJGMDklMkYyQ3JlZGl0LUFzaGxleS1CZW5uaXNvbl8xMjAwLmpwZyIgZGF0YS13PSIxMjAwIiBkYXRhLWg9IjY3NSIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+)"></span> </a> <div class="article-content has-very-light-grey-background-color"> <a href="/nature/birds/"> <span class="category nature-color"> Birds </span> </a> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/birds/how-avian-influenza-has-spread-to-antarctic-islands/"> <h3>How avian influenza has spread to Antarctic islands</h3> </a> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> <p>Scanning electron microscopy showed that green and olive kākāpō feathers react differently in the light.</p> <p>Computer simulations suggest whichever colour was rarer would have been less likely to be detected by predators. This may explain why both colours have persisted in kākāpō.</p> <p>The authors of the study say that understanding the emergence of the different colourations may help in the conservation of the critically endangered species. Without intervention, they show that kākāpō colour variation could be lost in just 30 generations.</p> <p>“By using a comprehensive genomic library for the species, we have explained how the current colour morphs of kākāpō might be a result of pressure from extinct predators,” says co-author Andrew Digby from New Zealand’s Department of Conservation.</p> <div class="advert ad-in-content ad-mobile auh-250"><div id="adn-00000000001fc2ca-i1p0" style="display: none"></div></div> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="675" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDY3NSIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iNjc1IiBkYXRhLXU9IiUyRndwLWNvbnRlbnQlMkZ1cGxvYWRzJTJGMjAyNCUyRjA5JTJGZjI5MjlkNGEwYjRlNDY0M2Y4MTU3ZjBiMjkyNDlmOTJjNDg5ODRjYi5qcGciIGRhdGEtdz0iMTIwMCIgZGF0YS1oPSI2NzUiIGRhdGEtYmlwPSIiPjwvc3ZnPg==" data-spai="1" alt="Green flightless parrot kākāpō" class="wp-image-311000" title="kākāpō changed colour to escape largest ever eagles 4"><noscript data-spai="1"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="675" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/f2929d4a0b4e4643f8157f0b29249f92c48984cb.jpg" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Green flightless parrot kākāpō" class="wp-image-311000" srcset="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/f2929d4a0b4e4643f8157f0b29249f92c48984cb.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/f2929d4a0b4e4643f8157f0b29249f92c48984cb-600x338.jpg 600w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/f2929d4a0b4e4643f8157f0b29249f92c48984cb-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/f2929d4a0b4e4643f8157f0b29249f92c48984cb-300x169.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" title="kākāpō changed colour to escape largest ever eagles 4"></noscript><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A green kākāpō named Sinbad. Credit: Jake Osborne, DOC.</figcaption></figure> <p>“Using genomics to understand the current significance of such characteristics is important as we seek to restore the mauri (life force) of kākāpō by reducing intensive management and returning them to their former habitats.”</p> <div style><a href="https://link.cosmosmagazine.com/O5bE"><p align="center"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-198773" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA3MjggMjI1IiB3aWR0aD0iNzI4IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjIyNSIgZGF0YS11PSJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRmNvc21vc21hZ2F6aW5lLmNvbSUyRndwLWNvbnRlbnQlMkZ1cGxvYWRzJTJGMjAyNCUyRjAzJTJGRGFpbHktRG9zZS1OZXdzbGV0dGVyX0Nvc21vc19FbWJlZF83Mjh4MjI1LmpwZyIgZGF0YS13PSI3MjgiIGRhdGEtaD0iMjI1IiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=" data-spai="1" alt="Sign up to our weekly newsletter" width="600" height="154" title="kākāpō changed colour to escape largest ever eagles 5"><noscript data-spai="1"><img decoding="async" 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