Cyanoramphus cookii
The Norfolk Parakeet, *Cyanoramphus cookii*, is a vibrant, medium-sized parrot endemic to the isolated Norfolk Island, an Australian territory. Measuring approximately 28-30 cm in length and weighing around 75-80 grams, its plumage is predominantly bright green, contrasting sharply with a distinctive crimson-red band across the forehead extending past the eye and a prominent red patch on the wing's primary coverts. Its underparts are a lighter yellowish-green, and the outer primary flight fea...
This species thrives in humid subtropical rainforests and native woodlands of Norfolk Island, primarily inhabiting areas with dense canopy and large, mature trees for nesting, often at higher elevations. It also forages in more open woodlands and cultivated gardens adjacent to native bushland.
Their diet primarily consists of seeds, fruits, flowers, buds, leaves, and nectar from a variety of native and introduced plants, with occasional consumption of invertebrates. They forage both in the tree canopy and on the forest floor.
Norfolk Parakeets are highly active and diurnal, spending their days foraging and interacting, often seen in pairs or small family groups, though larger flocks can form outside the breeding season. They exhibit a versatile foraging strategy, gleaning seeds, fruits, and flowers from the canopy but...
The Norfolk Parakeet is strictly endemic to Norfolk Island, a small subtropical island territory of Australia situated in the Pacific Ocean. Its entire breeding and non-breeding range is confined to this single island, primarily utilizing the remaining native forest, particularly the Norfolk Isla...
Endangered
- The Norfolk Parakeet is one of the world's rarest parrots, having faced extinction multiple times. - Despite its common name, it's not a true "kaka" (which are *Nestor* parrots) but rather a kakariki or long-tailed parakeet. - It was once considered a subspecies of the Red-crowned Parakeet (*Cy...