survives on the offshore sanctuaries

Size
Length: 23-25 cm, Weight: 50-70 g
Lifespan
8-10 years
Diet
Herbivorous. Feeds on leaves, seeds, berries, flowers, and buds. Also takes insects and larvae. Climbs through forest canopy using bill and feet.
Habitat
Native forest, scrubland, and coastal vegetation. Prefers mature forest with dense understorey and natural cavities for nesting.
Range
Once widespread throughout New Zealand. Now largely confined to offshore islands and predator-controlled mainland sites in Northland, Coromandel, and Fiordland.
Endemism
Endemic
Main Threats
Predation by introduced rats, stoats, and cats. Competition for nest cavities with introduced birds including starlings and wasps. Habitat loss from forest clearance.
Population
Once widespread throughout New Zealand. Now largely confined to offshore islands and predator-controlled mainland sites, with significant populations on Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands.
Conservation Status
At Risk - Declining
Human Risk
harmless
Handling Note
protected native parakeet, do not handle or disturb
Conservation Note
Endemic parakeet; declining in mainland forests due to predation by introduced mammals.
Assessment
NZTCS Birds (2021)
Te Ao Māori
Kākāriki is the Māori name for all parakeets. It means "green". The yellow-crowned parakeet was one of several kākāriki known to Māori. Its bright green feathers were used in adornment. The bird's decline from the mainland reflects the broader impact of introduced predators on New Zealand's native birds. Its survival on offshore islands is a testament to the value of predator-free sanctuaries. The connection is historical. It links the bird to cultural practices. The respect remains. The conservation need is urgent. The bird endures.
A bright green parrot wears a yellow crown like a small golden cap. The yellow-crowned parakeet, or kākāriki, is one of New Zealand's most beautiful native birds. It is also one of the most vulnerable. Rats, stoats, and cats have pushed it to the margins. It survives on offshore islands and in a few predator-controlled mainland sites. The pressure is constant. The refuge is limited. The plumage is brilliant green on the back and wings. It is yellow-green below. The crown is yellow. A red band borders it above the eyes. The face is green. The rump is green. The bird is a flash of colour in the forest. It stands out against the leaves. It does not blend in. It feeds on leaves, seeds, berries, flowers, and insects. It climbs through the canopy. It uses its bill and feet. A kākāriki feeding is acrobatic. It hangs upside down. It reaches for the next branch. The movement is fluid. The balance is precise. The call is a rapid, chattering 'ki-ki-ki'. It is often given in flight. Flocks call constantly as they move through the canopy. The sound is social. It maintains contact. Breeding takes it to tree hollows. The nest is a cavity lined with wood dust. Three to five eggs are laid. The female incubates alone. The male brings food. The chicks fledge in about six weeks. The division of labour is strict. The risk is shared. The yellow-crowned parakeet was once common on the mainland. Early settlers reported flocks in the bush. Then rats arrived. The parakeets declined. They vanished from most of the North and South Islands. The loss was rapid. The silence followed. Now they survive on predator-free islands. The Poor Knights, Great Barrier, and the Mercury Islands are key sites. A few populations persist on the mainland. They are protected by intensive predator control. The effort is significant. The result is fragile. The species is closely related to the red-crowned parakeet and the orange-fronted parakeet. The yellow-crowned has a yellow crown. The red-crowned has a red crown. The distinction is clear. Identification is straightforward. The name 'kākāriki' means green. It is the general name for all parakeets. This one is the yellow-crowned. The label is descriptive. It fits. The call is loud. The bird is conspicuous. It does not hide. It relies on height and speed. It carries on.