Relatable Avian
I read an essay about a strange bird recently, touted to be the dumbest among birds and the kakapo seems a lot like humans. This bird that seems to have missed the evolutionary memo on how to be a bird, and in doing so, feel like the very human-like creatures. This flightless, moss-green parrot from New Zealand doesn’t spend its time soaring through the clouds; instead, it treks across the forest floor with a heavy, rhythmic gait that feels remarkably like a person out on a hike. Because they lack the ability to fly, they have developed strong, muscular legs and a grounded perspective on life. They are the homebodies of the avian world, preferring the comfort of the earth and the shade of the shrubs to the dizzying heights of the canopy.
One of the most strikingly human things about the Kakapo is their personality, which tends toward the eccentric and the introverted. They are solitary, nocturnal wanderers who seem to value their privacy, often appearing deep in thought as they forage through the undergrowth. Unlike the frantic, high-energy social dynamics of most bird species, the Kakapo operates at a much slower, more deliberate pace. They appear to possess a certain old soul energy, perhaps owed to their incredible longevity, as they can live up to 90 years, a lifespan that rivals our own and allows them to witness the slow changing of the world around them. A remarkable feat for a bird that does not even have the basic skill of being a bird. Humans are similar that way. Many how fail to check most if not all boxes that are require to qualify being human can live a very long life.
The romantic life of a Kakapo has human parallels. The males put an exhausting amount of effort into dating, spending months clearing out specialized tracks and bowls in the dirt to create a stage for their performance. They sit in these hollows and produce a low-frequency boom that can be heard for miles, all in the hopes of attracting a mate. However, much like an ill-conceived grand gesture, the sound is often difficult to track, leaving many males booming into the void while the females wander by, completely unimpressed. It is a high-stakes, high-effort endeavor that frequently ends in the avian version of being left on read.
Their defense mechanism should be relatable to anyone who has ever frozen in a moment of social awkwardness. Having evolved in an environment without mammalian predators, the Kakapo never learned to flee. When they feel threatened or startled, their instinct is to stand perfectly still and hope they blend into the background. It is the natural world’s equivalent of closing your eyes and hoping that if you can’t see the problem, the problem can’t see you. This is definitely a sentiment most humans have felt at least once.
Perhaphs being fit for survival isn't always about being the fastest or the strongest; sometimes, it’s just about finding a niche and sticking to it with a bit of personality. They are a reminder of the gentler side of nature. There is place in the world for a species that values a slow walk, a long life, and the occasional, awkward attempt at finding love. It makes sense that many of humans make it to the end without coming to irreparable harm despite oursleves.
One of the most strikingly human things about the Kakapo is their personality, which tends toward the eccentric and the introverted. They are solitary, nocturnal wanderers who seem to value their privacy, often appearing deep in thought as they forage through the undergrowth. Unlike the frantic, high-energy social dynamics of most bird species, the Kakapo operates at a much slower, more deliberate pace. They appear to possess a certain old soul energy, perhaps owed to their incredible longevity, as they can live up to 90 years, a lifespan that rivals our own and allows them to witness the slow changing of the world around them. A remarkable feat for a bird that does not even have the basic skill of being a bird. Humans are similar that way. Many how fail to check most if not all boxes that are require to qualify being human can live a very long life.
The romantic life of a Kakapo has human parallels. The males put an exhausting amount of effort into dating, spending months clearing out specialized tracks and bowls in the dirt to create a stage for their performance. They sit in these hollows and produce a low-frequency boom that can be heard for miles, all in the hopes of attracting a mate. However, much like an ill-conceived grand gesture, the sound is often difficult to track, leaving many males booming into the void while the females wander by, completely unimpressed. It is a high-stakes, high-effort endeavor that frequently ends in the avian version of being left on read.
Their defense mechanism should be relatable to anyone who has ever frozen in a moment of social awkwardness. Having evolved in an environment without mammalian predators, the Kakapo never learned to flee. When they feel threatened or startled, their instinct is to stand perfectly still and hope they blend into the background. It is the natural world’s equivalent of closing your eyes and hoping that if you can’t see the problem, the problem can’t see you. This is definitely a sentiment most humans have felt at least once.
Perhaphs being fit for survival isn't always about being the fastest or the strongest; sometimes, it’s just about finding a niche and sticking to it with a bit of personality. They are a reminder of the gentler side of nature. There is place in the world for a species that values a slow walk, a long life, and the occasional, awkward attempt at finding love. It makes sense that many of humans make it to the end without coming to irreparable harm despite oursleves.
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Nature