Kakapos have a unique and complex mating system that involves several distinctive behaviors:
1. **"Boom" Calls**: Male kakapos attract females with a remarkable vocal display known as a "boom." During the breeding season, which occurs every few years when there's an abundance of native fruit, males find specific locations, often elevated sites, and create a bowl-shaped depression on the ground known as a "lek." They then emit a series of deep, resonant "booms" to establish their territory and attract females.
2. **Scent Marking**: Male kakapos also use scent marking to communicate with females. They collect various plant materials and rub them on their bodies, creating a unique scent. Females may visit these scent-marked areas to evaluate potential mates.
3. **Courtship Display**: Once a female arrives at a male's lek, he engages in an elaborate courtship display. This display includes puffing up, ruffling feathers, and making clicking sounds with his beak.
4. **Mating Dance**: The actual mating involves a kind of dance, with the male placing his beak on the ground while the female stands on top. Mating can be quite vigorous, and it may occur multiple times.
Kakapos have a slow reproductive rate, with breeding events occurring infrequently, often years apart. Additionally, kakapo populations are male-biased, with fewer females than males, which can make it challenging for females to find mates. Conservation efforts have been put in place to monitor and support kakapo breeding, as the survival of this critically endangered species depends on successful reproduction and the protection of breeding sites.