Red Crown Parakeet or Kakariki Parrot

The Red-crowned parakeet, also known as the red-fronted parakeet or by its Māori name kākāriki, is a small, vibrant emerald-green parrot native to New Zealand. Measuring 23 to 28 cm long, it features a bright crimson crown and forehead, red eye-stripe spots, and rich blue outer wing edges.

Habitat and Distribution

• Endemic to New Zealand, inhabiting temperate rainforests, coastal forests, and scrublands.
• Common on offshore and outlying islands, but largely absent from the two main islands due to introduced mammalian predators like rats and stoats.
• Relies on successful mainland sanctuary reintroductions, such as at Wellington’s Zealandia.

Behavior and Diet

• Distinctly ground-foraging, spending considerable time walking and rummaging on the forest floor, which makes them vulnerable to predators.
• Consumes a generalized diet of seeds, flowers, fruits, berries, leaves, and small invertebrates.
• Known for a rapid, high-pitched, and musical chattering call.