Noctural birds offer some interesting rendering challenges... such as trying to keep lighting subtle enough to be natural. Here I tried a backlit moon approach. Kakapo is also known as the "owl parrot" and is nocturnal. It is a classic example of evolution on an isolated island; and has a number of characteristic features that make this species unique. It is the only member of the subfamily Strigopinae and although it has fully developed wings, it is the only flightless parrot in the world. The reason why this parrot is flightless is because there is no sternal keel for attachment of the wing muscles. It is also the largest parrot known and is possibly the longest-lived; the oldest known bird was elderly when found in 1975 and still lives. Its eating habits are unique. The parrots chew the leaves and stems of plants, extracting the juice, and leave behind fibrous, chewed balls dangling from the plants that often bleach white in the sun. The Kakapo has a rich tradition of Maori folklore and beliefs associated with it as a species. Their irregular breeding cycle was noted to be associated with heavy fruiting seasons of particular plant species, which led the Maori to credit the bird with the ability to foretell the future. Used to substantiate this claim were reported observations of these birds dropping the berries of the Hinau and Tawa trees (when they were in season) into secluded pools of water to preserve them as a food supply for the summer ahead; the Maori practice of immersing food in water for the same purpose is believed to originate from these observations. Today the kakapo is Critically Endangered. In early history, the Maori hunted kakapo for their feathers and meat and the Polynesian dog and rat (introduced by the Maori) also preyed upon the species. By the Europeans began to settle in the 1800s, the range of the kakapo had already dramatically declined, and the situation became critical as Europeans set about clearing forests, hunting and releasing mammalian predators such as domestic cats and dogs. The kakapo is particularly vulnerable to predation by mammals due to its strong scent, habit of freezing when threatened, its ground nesting behavior, and flightlessness; the latter, together with very slow breeding strategies are key elements in the demise of many endangered and extinct New Zealand species. Also, the introduced possums and deer compete with the kakapo for food sources. Removal of predators, supplying additional nutrients, monitoring nests with video and radio collaring the remaining kakapo are measures being taken to ensure the kakapo's survival. Current 2007 Population: 86 remaining. Rendered in Vue 6i with no post. The Kakapo is part of my upcoming Songbird Remix package called "More Threatened, Endangered, Extinct" and besides providing some interesting 3D birds, will contain literature about each bird, solutions to slowing and stopping widespread extinction of many species, which, in turn, artists will be able to use in or accompanying their eco-art renders.