New Zealand Native Animals > Kakariki

Kakariki

Cyanoramphus auriceps

ENDEMIC

DISTRIBUTION: Large tracts of forest in the North and South Islands. They are also found on Three King’s, Hen and Chickens, Little and Great Barrier, Kapiti, Inner and outer Chetwode, Titi, Big and Little Solander, Codfish, Auckland and Adams Islands; Stewart Island and surrounding smaller islands.

HABITAT: It prefers mixed podocarp forest. On offshore islands where the red-crowned parakeet also occur, kakariki prefer taller unbroken forest and scrub.

BREEDING: The breeding season depends on the availability of food, but most eggs are laid between October and December. The nest is usually in a natural hole of a living or dead tree. 5-9 eggs are laid and incubated by the female for about twenty days, during this time the male feeds her on the nest.

FOOD: Kakariki eat a wide range of invertebrates, buds, shoots, flowers and seeds, including those of beech and podocarp.

VOICE: A high pitched chatter of ki-ki-ki-ki-ki when in flight. Also a soft tu-tu-tu-tu, pretty dick, twenty-eight or tee-pee-wee.

GENERAL: Sexes are alike but the female is smaller. The general plumage is bright green, but yellower underneath. Also a crimson frontal band above the bill and a golden yellow crown to just behind the eye. This is yet another native bird that has suffered from the destruction of native forest. It was once common on all three of the main islands.


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