Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae
The Red-crowned Parakeet, or Kākāriki, is a vibrant, medium-sized parrot endemic to New Zealand and its subantarctic islands, renowned for its distinctive plumage. Primarily bright green, it features a prominent crimson-red forehead, crown, and a stripe extending past the eye, complemented by striking blue primary coverts on its wings. Measuring approximately 23-27 cm in length with a weight ranging from 50-90 grams, its agile flight and quick movements are characteristic. Taxonomically, it b...
Primarily inhabits dense native forests, regenerating scrubland, and coastal shrubbery, ranging from sea level up to subalpine zones, favoring areas with old growth trees for nesting cavities.
Feeds primarily on seeds, fruits, flowers, buds, and nectar, supplemented by small invertebrates, with a strong tendency for ground foraging.
Red-crowned Parakeets are diurnal, spending their days actively foraging on the ground and in the canopy, often returning to communal roosts in dense foliage or tree cavities at dusk. Their foraging strategy involves a mix of terrestrial gleaning for fallen seeds and fruits, as well as agile clim...
The Red-crowned Parakeet is endemic to New Zealand and its subantarctic islands, with its distribution severely fragmented. Historically widespread across the North and South Islands of mainland New Zealand, it is now extremely rare in these areas, primarily confined to small, isolated population...
Near Threatened
- The Māori name "Kākāriki" translates to "small parrot" and highlights its cultural importance in New Zealand. - Red-crowned Parakeets were once common across mainland New Zealand but were decimated by introduced mammalian predators like stoats, cats, and rats. - They have a remarkable ability t...