Kakariki

03-09-2007, 02:08 PM

BrokenWing Chronicles
Kakariki
INTRODUCTION
The Kakariki is undoubtedly New Zealand's most well known parrot especially in captivity. There are a number of species of Kakariki, translated from Maori as
"small parrot", whose natural environment are the islands in and around New Zealand together with the mainland.
The Kakariki was a very common bird in all of its natural habitats until that dreaded mammal "homo-sapien" came along together with the predatory mammals associated with him.
Some of the specific details of each species and their habitats are as follows:
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
There are two common families of Kakariki and a single member of a third, although there is much controversy over whether this third one is a true species or not.
The families are, of course, the Yellow Crowned and Red Crowned with the third being the Orange Fronted.
The Yellow Crowned and Orange Fronted are significantly smaller than the Red's, being around 23cms in length compared to 28 cms.
As the names suggest, each has an appropriately coloured area on the head. The Red Crowned has a "red crown" with a band of red extending back beyond the eyes. The Yellow Crowned has a yellow patch on the head and a red frontal band above the cere whereas the Orange Fronted has a pale yellow patch on its head with an orange band above the cere. All other colouration of the 3 species is green with blue flashes on the wing tips and with both the Red and Yellow, they also have red patches around the rump with the Orange having orange present here.
The hens of all species are identical in colour but generally smaller and have a narrower head and beak. The young are also similarly coloured to the adults but paler.
SPECIES & NATURAL HABITATS
Details of the specific sub-species of the Kakariki are as follows:
Yellow Crowned (Cyanoramphus auriceps auriceps) the New Zealand Yellow Crown This species is found in remote locations on the North, South and Stewart Islands together with the Auckland Islands which are located some 400 kilometres south of Stewart Island. It prefers the taller, unbroken forest and scrub, unlike its cousin the Red Crowned which is more at home in the less dense areas or in open spaces.
Cyanoramphus auriceps forbesi) the Chatham Island Yellow Crown This species, which is critically endangered, is found on Little Mangere Island in the Chatham group, approximately 1000 kilometres east of Christchurch. It is slightly different to the New Zealand species in that the red frontal band does not extend to the eyes.
Orange Fronted (Cvanoramphus malherbi) This bird is found only at the top of the South Island of New Zealand and then in very small numbers. There is much controversy over whether this bird is a true species in its own right or a colour morph of the Yellow Crowned. I find it quite amazing that this hasn't been sorted out yet.
Some simple test mating of pure specimens and their progency, should prove it one way or the other. Birds bred which do not look pure in either Orange or Yellow would be hybrids and therefore prove that they were separate species. If all young resembled Yellow's, they would be splits and on subsequent breeding would result in some Orange's being bred depending on the genetics involved.
Red Crowned (Cvanoramphus nouaezelandiae nouaezelandiae) the common Red Crown This sub-species of the Red Crowned Kakariki is found in both the North and South Islands of New Zealand together with Stewart and Auckland Islands. It prefers to inhabit relatively open spaces in and around forest areas and frequently forages on the ground. It also prefers lower altitudes than the Yellow Crowned.
The Red Crowned was very common throughout New Zealand prior to the 1880's. However, as everyone knows, Kakariki's love fruit and seeding grasses and once man started growing crops the birds took an avid interest the result being many were shot and together with introduced cats, rats and stoats, the poor Kakariki numbers plummeted.
(Cvanoramphus nouaezelandiae cvanurus)the Kermadec Island Red Crown This species is found on Macauley Island in the Kermadec group, which is around 900 kilometres north-east of Auckland. The bird is similar to the NZ species except that the blue wing flashes are "bluer". It was also present on other islands in the group such as Raoul Island, but as for many other species, once man, and therefore rats and cats came along, they disappeared.
A census in 1980 of the Kermadec Red Crown estimated numbers to be in excess of 10,000 so its future seems relatively secure.
(Cvanoramphus nouaezelandiae chathamensis) the Chatham Island Red Crown This sub-species closely resembles the common New Zealand species except that the green on the face is brighter. It is reasonably abundant on the edges of the forests on the Chathams.
(Cvanoramphus nouaezelandiae hochstetteri) the Antipodes Island Red Crown This sub-species is slightly larger than the New Zealand species and is of a lighter, more yellowish colouration. It is found only on the Antipodes Island some 800 kilometres south-east of Dunedin and as the island is predator free at present, this sub-species is relatively common on the island.
(Cvanoramphus nouaezelandiae ervthrotis) the Macquarie Island Red Crown This species, now extinct, was similar to the Antipodes Red Crown in colour but slightly bigger. It, no doubt suffered the same fate as many other birds in the deep south when whale and seal hunters occupied the islands of the sub-Antarctic, and introduced cats and rats to previously predator free islands.
It is estimated that the last bird died on this remote island, located around 1300 kilometres south-west of Stewart Island, around 1894.
(Cvanoranlphus nouaezelandiae cookii)the Norfolk Island Red Crown This species is very similar to the New Zealand Red Crown but larger. It is rare on the island, which is around l100 kilometres north-west of Auckland, with no more than 30 observed in the wild in 1978. Again, cats and rats are responsible for its decline.
(Cvanoranlphus nouaezelandiae subflauicans) the Lord Howe Island Red Crown The second of the species to acquire the "distinction" of becoming extinct, was located on Lord Howe Island, around 700 kilometres northeast of Sydney. It was paler than the New Zealand species with a smaller "red crown". It is'considered, that its extinction was principally caused by man exterminating them because of their love for the fruit on orchard trees.
Extinction was estimated to have occurred around 1870.
(Cvanoranlphus nouaezelandiae saisetti) the New Caledonian Red Crown The last of the sub-species is another with paler green colouration than the New Zealand species except that the red is somewhat brighter. It is reasonably common on the island which is around 2000 kilometres northwest of Auckland.
NATURAL DIET
All of the species of Kakariki feed on berries, seeds and fruit and all love foraging on the ground like a chicken, looking for insects and bugs.
Some of the sub-species have also acquired local tastes - the Norfolk Island Red has developed a taste for the cones of the Norfolk Pine whereas the
Kermadec Island Red has been observed pecking at dead goats and small crustaceans.
BREEDING IN THE WILD
None of the species are gregarious in nature in that they are seldom seen in colonies other than small family groups.
They generally nest in hollow tree branches with the exception of the subAntarctic species which nest on the ground under tussock grass (or in the case of the Macquarie Island Red, used to nest on the ground! Nests are often lined with moss, powdered wood, feathers, or grass stems with nesting occurring from October through to December.
The incubating is carried out by the hen with the 5-9 eggs taking around 20 days to hatch. Both birds assist with the feeding of the young.
THE KAKARIKI IN CAPTIVITY
Both the Red and Yellow Crowned Kakariki are common parrots in captivity in New Zealand although nearly all are the nominate races which are endemic to the main islands.
They are probably the most active of all parrots, seldom staying still, never moving slowly and often seen running up and down the wire of the aviary without using their beaks.
Continued

03-09-2007, 02:08 PM

The Kakariki is a delight in anyones collection as they are always friendly and confiding towards humans and with their mobility, are always the centre of attention for visitors.Because of their mobility, they should never be kept in a small aviary as a minimum, the aviary should measure 3.6 metres long x 0.9 metres wide x 1.8 metres high. Wooden construction is satisfactory as they are not great wood chewers however, as they like foraging on the ground, they should either have a natural floor (either earth or sand) or if concrete, a regular supply of freshly dug earth should be given to them.
Pairs should be kept in individual flights for breeding purposes as the cocks will go for each other and they can kill.
A safety door to your Kakariki flights is also a good idea - because of their curiousity, speed and lack of fear of man, they can easily slip between you and that slightly open door to freedom.
In captivity, the Kakariki is a short lived bird compared to other species of parrot - some will last only 5 years.
Despite their love of foraging on the ground, the Kakariki is remarkably resistant to intestinal worms but one should not be complacent about this dose them whenever the rest of your collection is done.
The only real problem to be aware of with the Kakariki, is the dreaded scaly-face mite which simply loves this bird. It can be treated effectively with most sheep drenches or Dettol.
FEEDING IN CAPTIVITY
The Kakariki is an easy parrot to cater for as far as food is concerned. They like a mixed seed diet but go easy on the sunflower as, like many other species, they can pig out on it and become too fat.
Always provide them an ample supply of green food together with fruit such as apple, berries, pears and grapes and as mentioned earlier, earth should be available for them to forage in.
The depth of the seed container must be such that seed doesn't spill over the sides - Kakariki's love to play at "dogging" their food and if the wrong shaped container is used, all of the contents will be on the floor in no time.
Kakariki's also enjoy mealworms, soaked seed and other soft food which should be made available to them especially during breeding season.
BREEDING IN CAPTIVITY
The Kakariki is one of the easiest parrots to breed in captivity.
By way of example, in 1958 a census was taken which revealed that 103 Red Crowns were kept in captivity.
Only 6 years later, the number had risen to 2500 - the majority from breeding and not from newly acquired wild specimens.
Both Yellows and Reds will breed at less than one year of age if allowed to although this is not a good idea.
They will breed in almost any type of box but the recommended dimensions are 250mm x 250mm base by 300mm high.
The hen will show interest in the box probably before you have had a chance to leave the aviary and a clutch often results within a fortnight.
Clutches vary in size from 5-9 eggs and it is not uncommon for 6+ chicks to be reared so you must ensure that the supply of soft food is kept up. The chicks also grow rapidly and if there is a shortage of food, the youngest suffer, usually terminally.
The eggs usually hatch after 20 days of incubation with the young leaving the nest at around 35-40 days.
Both parents feed the young however, care must be taken with the young cocks and if the adult male gets too aggressive, remove him and let the hen finish off the feeding routine.
Both species will double brood and sometimes triple brood if allowed to.
The two species will hybridize, but being a purist, I deplore such deliberate breeding as it is doing nothing but satisfy someone's distorted ego to see what they will get, and do absolutely nothing for the species.
To my way of thinking, hybridizing is a last resort to ensure that a species is not lost - subsequent cross breeding to get back to pure takes many generations. In mathematical terms:
first breeding (pure of I x pure of other) = young 50% pure second breeding (young from (a) back to a pure) = young 75% pure third breeding (young from ~b) back to a pure) = young 88% pure fourth breeding (young from (c) back to a pure) = young 94% pure fifth breeding (young from (d) back to a pure) = young 97% probably close enough to pure.COLOUR MUTATIONS As opposed to my views on hybridization, breeding colour mutations is a completely different scenario as long as the birds are genetically pure for the base bird and not hybridized to get the new colour from one species to another.
Colour breeding has been a part of parrot breeding ever since the first mutation was observed.
I know of no colour mutations in New Zealand of either the Red or Yellow Crowned Kakariki, however, overseas four are recorded - 3 of the Red and one of the Yellow.
They include:
. Cinnamon and Lutino Red Crowned
- both sex-linked and probably allelemorphs
. Pied Red Crowned - reported to be autosomal dominant
. Pied Yellow Crowned - reported to be autosomal recessive
CONCLUSION
The Kakariki is one parrot that most New Zealanders experience and seldom do you hear of anyone saying they do not like having them in their collections.
They are often called the "gems" of a collection.
As they breed freely, their survivability is guaranteed. Several releases of captive bred birds into the wild have occurred successfully - on Tiri Tiri and Cuvier Islands in the Hauraki Gulf and in the Waitakere Ranges west of Auckland and in the Wairarapa.
If you are one of the few breeders who have not kept and bred the humble Kakariki, give them a go - you will not be disappointed.
REEFERENCES
" Atlas of Parrots" Dr David Alderton : TFH "Parrots of the World" Joseph M. Forshaw : Landsdowne "Australian Parrots" Ian Harman : Inkata Press "Parrots : Their Care & Breeding" Rosemary Low : TM " Complete Book of NZ Birds" Readers Digest : Readers Digest
http://www.parrot.co.nz/Parrot.NZ.ar...-kakariki.html
Red Crown
http://www.nzbirds.com/birds/kakarikired.html

Yellow Crown

03-09-2007, 02:40 PM

These little cuties are very popular in Australia too! Hmmmmmmm.............

Stop putting new fids into my head, my house isn't THAT big! LOL!!

03-09-2007, 07:01 PM

Your home....OMG....Our home is nothing less than a giant bird house, a very small 2 (tiny BEDROOM) house, and one of those bedrooms belongs to our babies, and the living room belongs to our babies, and the Basement belongs to our babies, Half the garage belongs to our Pigeons/Doves.
We...Well the wife and I are allowed to have one room to ourselfs...

Even our Bathroom has suction perches everywhere, and our yard, well our yard is very large...and every tree is full of bird houses, Birdbaths everywhere.
Bird feeders everywhere, 17 squirrels call our home there's, its like a zoo here.
Okay.....It is a zoo here...and 2 Rabbits...very fat rabbits....My neighbor had 2 live traps set, I asked him what they were for, he said to catch a couple of rabbits that were getting into his garden, I said NO....NO...You put a fence around your garden...he was going to relocate the rabbits down at the park.
Geeeez...trying to take my Rabbits...can you imagin that?

03-10-2007, 05:09 AM

Hey Arty, next time I am in Minnesota, I need to visit you!!!!

03-10-2007, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Well the wife and I are allowed to have one room to ourselfs...

Your description kind of sounds like my small house which has been taken over by Kady and Kita.

Now about that one room to yourselves??? I used to think that also, until I looked at my one room with the cats lounging on my bed and the doggie beds lined up in front of my dresser!

Guess that room isn't ours either.