Red-fronted Parakeet

Wild Red-fronted Parakeet
© Steve Murphy

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Did You Know?

The Red-fronted Parakeet is also called the Red-fronted Kakariki - "kakariki" in Maori means "little parrot."

Academic Research

Related publications: Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae

Species Profile

Genus: Cyanoramphus | Species: novaezelandiae

Size:

27cm (10.5 in)

Weight:

50-113g (1.75-3.9 oz)

Subspecies including nominate:

six: C.n. novaezelandiae, C.n. cyanurus, C.n. chathamensis, C.n. hochstetteri, C.n. erythrotis, C.n. subflavecens

Colour Adult:

C.n. novaezelandiae: Both adults red forehead, crown, band from lores to behind eyes and patch on each side of rump; purple/blue outer webs of flight feathers; underparts yellow/green. Bill silver/grey tipped with dark grey. Eye red.
C.n. cyanurus: Both adults as in novaezelandiae, but varying blue wash to upperparts; less yellow on underparts, more blue/green; darker blue wash on outer webs of flight feathers; blue wash on tail.
C.n. chathamensis Both adults as in novaezelandiae, but face bright green; underparts more yellow; slightly larger in size.
C.n. hochstetteri: Both adults more yellow/green in general; orange/red markings on head and sides of rump; outer webs of flight feathers paler blue; larger in size.
C.n. erythrotis: Both adults as in hochstetteri, but outer webs of flight feathers pale green/blue. Extinct.
C.n. subflavescens: Both adults as in cookii, but in general more yellow in body colour, particularly on cheeks and underparts; red markings on head less extensive. Extinct.

Colour Juvenile:

C.n. novaezelandiae: As in adults but with less red markings on head; tail shorter. Eye pale brown.

Call:

Calls heard are distinctive; in flight or when alarmed a prolonged, repetitive series of notes. When feeding emits subdued notes; while perched calls are three syllable notes or soft, musical sounds.

Video Links:

More Information:

Avibase

Content Sources:

Wild Red-fronted Parakeet
© Steve Murphy

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

The Red-fronted Parakeet is also called the Red-fronted Kakariki - "kakariki" in Maori means "little parrot."

Academic Research

Related publications: Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae

Species Care

Captive Status:

Common

Longevity:

10+ yrs

Housing:

Walk-in enclosure, minimum length 3m (9.8 ft).

Diet:

Small seed mix such as: canary, millet and smaller amounts of oats, buckwheat, safflower and a little hemp; limited sunflower seed; spray millet; green leaves such as: Swiss chard, lettuce, sowthistle, dandelion, chickweed; seeding grasses; rearing food made from hard-boiled egg, wholegrain bread and carrot, all ground to crumbly consistency; complete pellet.

Enrichment:

Love to climb, therefore provide ladders, ropes and swings; not a vigorous chewer. Provide large flight for exercise. Provide areas for bathing.

Nest Box Size:

Vertical box 8" x 8" x 14" (20.3cm x 20.3cm x 35.5cm).

Clutch Size:

5-9

Incubation Time:

19 days

Fledging Age:

5-6 weeks

Hatch Weight:

Not recorded.

Peak Weight:

Not recorded.

Weaning Weight:

Not recorded.

Wild Red-fronted Parakeet
© Steve Murphy

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

The Red-fronted Parakeet is also called the Red-fronted Kakariki - "kakariki" in Maori means "little parrot."

Academic Research

Related publications: Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae

Species Wild Status

World Population:

24,700-53,000

IUCN Red List Status:

Least Concern

CITES Listing:

Appendix I

Threat Summary:

Erythrotis and subflavescens both extinct; other populations declining due to habitat loss and introduced predators. Both extinct subspecies were also hunted for food and persecuted as crop pests. Still common on Stewart and Antipodes Islands.

Range:

C.n. novaezelandiae: New Zealand, including offshore islands and Auckland Islands.
C.n. cyanurus: Kermadec Islands, New Zealand.
C.n. chathamensis: Chatham Islands, New Zealand.
C.n. hochstetteri: Antipodes Islands, New Zealand.
C.n. erythrotis: Formerly Macquarie Island.
C.n. subflavescens: Formerly Lord Howe Island, Australia.

Habitat:

Found in native forest on mainland New Zealand, open scrub on some offshore islands and tussock grassland on Antipodes Island.

Wild Diet:

Feeds on fruits, flowers of Metrosideros excelsa; seeds of Leptocarpus, Cortaderia richardii, Coprosma macrocarpa, Macropiper exulans and Pittosporum crassifolium; leaves, buds, berries, flowers, nectar and shoots; also invertebrates, honeydew and seaweed and small limpets.

Ecology and Behaviour:

Are most often seen in pairs which remain together throughout the year. Larger groups gather at food sources. Flocks also form to bathe in intertidal pools and roost communally. Birds feed actively in early morning, resting and preening during the day and feeding again in the afternoon.

Clutch and Egg Size:

5-9 broadly elliptical eggs, 26.0 x 21.5mm (1 x 0.8 in).

Breeding Season:

October-March. Nest is in tree cavity.

Related Links:

Wikipedia
New Zealand Birds Online

Wild Red-fronted Parakeet
© Steve Murphy

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

The Red-fronted Parakeet is also called the Red-fronted Kakariki - "kakariki" in Maori means "little parrot."

Academic Research

Related publications: Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae

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