By Tammana Begum Kākāpō are large, ground-dwelling, flightless parrots that were once widespread across New Zealand but hunted to near extinction. Thanks to highly specialised conservation efforts, these unique birds are slowly bouncing back. What makes kākāpō so unique? Kākāpō are unusual creatures for many reasons. They are the heaviest living species of parrot in the world, weighing up to four kilogrammes. They are also the only living species of parrot that cannot fly. Instead, they have strong legs for travelling several kilometres a day. They are also excellent climbers and can leap off tall trees, using their wings for balance.