Rosemary Low explains more about the Kakariki Parrot.

Scientific Name

The scientific name of the Kakariki is the Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae (Red-fronted), Cyanoramphus auriceps (Yellow-fronted)

Adult Length

25-28cm.

Adult Weight

Approximately 65g.

Potential Lifespan

15-20 years.

Origin

New Zealand. Formerly abundant on the mainland, the Red-fronted is now virtually extinct there. Populations survive on Stewart Island and surrounding islands, Kapiti Island, the Kermadec Islands, some Hauraki Gulf islands, Chatham Islands, Snares and Antipodes Islands. The Yellow-fronted exists on the mainland (North and South Islands) and Stewart Islands but is uncommon.

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A Kakariki Parrot

Kakariki status in wild

Red-fronted: Vulnerable, due to extensive loss of habitat and greatly decreased numbers.

Yellow-fronted: Near-threatened but predator control and habitat recovery could result in improved status.

Conservation

Common only several decades ago, numbers of both species have crashed. Now small offshore islands that have been cleared of predators are their only habitats. In 2008 I had the pleasure of watching these birds in the wild, their colours so vibrant as the sun lit up their plumage, and as they flew, close to the ocean, calling their ee-ee-ee contact notes.

I was on the island of Tiritiri Matangi in the Hauraki Gulf, not far off the coast of Auckland. My heart soared as I watched them flying, perching and preening. They seemed to me larger and more solid-looking than the captive birds we know. They looked so beautiful with their ruby-red eyes!

The story of this population is an interesting one. The island’s 220 hectares were originally covered with forests of native trees. After centuries of Maori occupation and farming by Europeans, hardly any forest had survived and most native birds, including the Kakariki, had gone, their disappearance assisted by introduced cats, stoats and rats.

Kakariki

Department of Conservation

Then the Department of Conservation (DOC) took over the island to try to return it to its native state as an open sanctuary. Hundreds of thousands of trees were planted, mainly by visiting groups, including schools, who volunteered their time. Today there is much forest and abundant native birdlife -- often endearingly fearless in a landscape whose birds once knew no fear because there were no mammalian predators.

The Kakarikis on Tiritiri Matangi thrived and currently the population is estimated at about 800 birds. I was shown a site where Parakeets roosted low down in a hole in a bank. Perhaps their favourite food is the seeds of the giant flax that are such a prominent feature of the island’s flora.

The Parakeets have been studied since 2004 by Mexican biologist Luis Ortiz-Catedral as part of his Master’s degree. Using infra-red video cameras he obtained information on how often the chicks were fed by their parents, for example.

Relocation

On May 17 2009 Ortiz-Catedral took part in the translocation of Red-fronted Kakarikis from the much larger island of Little Barrier to the 179-hectare island of Motuihe, also in the Hauraki Gulf. More than 200 conservationists witnessed the release of 31 birds, 16 males and 15 females. They were flown in by helicopter, and released into a glade of native pohutukawa trees, famous for their abundant red blossoms like pom-poms.

Some of the Kakarikis had been fitted with tiny transmitters so that their progress could be followed. Sadly, nine others had died in holding aviaries en route. Motuihe had been cleared of predators and this release was part of a three-year project to translocate Red-fronted Kakarikis from Little Barrier. Later there were more releases elsewhere.

During the translocation from Little Barrier 54 Parakeets were caught and feather samples were collected for molecular screening. In 15 individuals the virus for PBFD (psittacine beak and feather disease) was detected, but only two birds showed external signs of the disease -- abnormal feather formation and/or coloration, loss of feathers and feathers with blood in the quill (haemorrhagic). This was the first positive identification of PBFD in wild endemic New Zealand Parrots. It confirms the risk of the spread of the disease between wild populations.

Kakariki

In the Aviary

Extremely active and very inquisitive, Kakarikis are wonderful aviary birds. Inexpensive and free-breeding, they are very popular -- even more so since various mutations have been available. The aviary must be very secure with double doors because Kakarikis are lightening fast in their reactions, also very friendly and fearless, so escape could happen all too easily.

The aviary must be very safe with nothing that is potentially hazardous. Kakarikis are enthusiastic bathers so fresh water in a large shallow container must always be available. Because they are so active and such strong flyers, Kakarikis are best kept in an aviary no less than 4.5m (15ft) in length. They love to forage so will enjoy life in a large planted aviary, where they can be kept with small softbills and Finches.

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Kakariki Vocalisations

Their calls are not loud or unattractive thus they are ideal for people with close neighbours who might complain about noisier birds.

Kakariki Breeding

The clutch size is large -- five to nine eggs, which are incubated by the female for 19 days. Young spend about five weeks in the nest. Kakarikis are such good parents that they are often used as foster parents by breeders of Australian Parakeets.

Kakariki Diet

Dry and sprouted seeds should form the basis of the diet. Kakarikis should be offered a good quality Parakeet mixture containing some sunflower and safflower, plus sprouted sunflower and mung beans, which can be sprouted together. Millet sprays are enjoyed. They will also eat fruit, such as apple, strawberries and grapes, also sweetcorn, carrot and celery.

Wild foods such as seeding grasses and the young leaves of dandelion and smooth sow-thistle are also relished. Cultivated greens such as kale, rocket and spinach will also be eaten -- but they are not fussy and will eat almost any green food which should be fed daily. Eggfood (crumbly consistency) should be offered just before chicks hatch and during the rearing period.

Note that Kakarikis have a habit of scratching rapidly with their feet, sometimes scattering the contents of the food dish in all directions. One breeder overcame this problem by placing food dishes inside much larger containers -- but this would prevent the use of swing feeders and some feeding shelves.

This habit originates from their natural foraging behaviour: they feed on the ground as well as in trees and shrubs. On the ground they scratch in leaf litter, rapidly pushing it aside with their feet in their search for edible items. In a huge, landscaped aviary at Auckland Zoo, I was fascinated to observe this behaviour.

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For everything you need for your Kakariki please click here.