Red-crowned Parakeet

1. Bright emerald green plumage with a distinctive crimson red crown and eye patches.

2. Long tail and slender build, often seen in acrobatic positions while feeding.

3. Chattering, musical call that's stronger and lower-pitched than similar parakeet species.

Red-crowned parakeets can breed year-round, with peak activity from October to March. They nest in tree cavities or sometimes in ground dwelling burrows. Introduced predators like rats and stoats are their biggest threat on the mainland. These adaptable birds have a varied diet including seeds, insects and fruit and can quickly increase their population when conditions are good.

Look for Red-crowned parakeets on pest-free offshore islands like Tiritiri Matangi, Kapiti Island, and in some mainland sanctuaries. They're active throughout the day but are most vocal at dawn and dusk. Search in forest edges and open areas, where they often forage on the ground or in low shrub and grasslands. Listen for their chattering calls and watch for quick, darting movements in the trees. Tip: Visit a predator-free island sanctuary for your best chance of spotting these colorful birds.

Known as Kākāriki in te reo Māori, red-crowned parakeets were once common throughout New Zealand. Their decline due to introduced predators and habitat loss tells a familiar story of New Zealand's unique wildlife. Today, their recovery on predator-free islands symbolises hope for conservation efforts.