With emerald green and yellowish feathers and a shrill, birdcall-like voice, this small parrot measures around 9 inches (25 cm) from head to tail-tip. Weighing only 1-1.2 ounces (30-35 grams), the Antipodes Parakeet spends its days feeding on plant nectar and seeds while nesting in the holes of trees on its rugged island home.

Once more abundant, these days roughly 600-800 of these parakeets are left in existence. Due to invasive species and habitat loss over the past century, the Antipodes Green Parakeet has been classified as endangered since 2020. Ongoing conservation efforts seek to protect these unique island birds and restore their home.

As the world’s only endemic parakeet, the rare Antipodes Green Parakeet offers a special glimpse into parrot evolution. Over the following sections, we’ll unpack everything there is to know about this species – from behavior to breeding, conservation status and beyond. This comprehensive guide will highlight just what makes this remote island parakeet so special.

History and Taxonomy

The Antipodes Island Green Parakeet was first described by British ornithologist John Latham in 1801 based on a specimen found on the Antipodes Islands. He named it Psittacus unicolor, with the species name “unicolor” meaning “one color” referring to its solid green plumage. It was later reclassified into the genus Cyanoramphus along with several other parakeet species from the region.

Over the next two centuries, there was some debate among scientists whether the Antipodes Parakeet deserved its own unique species status or if it was a subspecies of another nearby parakeet species from islands such as the Reischek’s or Red-crowned Parakeets. However, in the late 1990s, analysis of feather lice and DNA evidence confirmed it as genetically distinct enough to warrant full species status as Cyanoramphus unicolor.

Within the Cyanoramphus genus, the Antipodes Parakeet belongs to the subgenus Cyanoramphus, along with the New Zealand Red-crowned Parakeet and Chatham Island Yellow-crowned Parakeet. These three species likely diverged from a common ancestor around 1-2 million years ago. The Antipodes Parakeet itself has seen genetic divergence between the main Antipodes island and smaller islet populations over recent evolutionary history.

Physical Appearance

The Antipodes Island Green Parakeet is aptly named for its bright green plumage across the body and wings, with some subtle yellowish tinges on the undersides of wings and tail. It has a medium-sized parakeet build, measuring around 9 inches (25 cm) from head to the tip of its tapered tail feathers and weighing just 1-1.2 ounces (30-35 grams).

Its rounded head features a short and blunt blue-gray bill with nostrils covered in feathers. The crown and nape are a mossy green color. Like other parakeets, the Antipodes Parakeet has a ring of bare white facial skin around each eye. The irises of the eyes range from dark brown to orange-red in color. The legs and feet are a dull gray color.

The male and female have similar overall plumage. However, males tend to have brighter green upperparts while females display more yellow-green underparts. Juvenile feather coloring is duller until their first molt. Adult parakeets molt once per year after breeding season, replacing all feathers over several weeks. Their bright new plumage follows.

No major variation occurs across the whole Antipodes population. However, in 2016 researchers discovered the 40-60 parakeets on tiny, nearby Figure of Eight Island exhibited a red tinge to their forehead feathers. This may indicate divergence from the main Antipodes island populations.

Habitat and Distribution

The Antipodes Island Green Parakeet lives exclusively on the Antipodes Islands and has the most restricted range of any parakeet species. The Antipodes are a tiny volcanic island group located about 490 miles (790 km) southeast of New Zealand’s South Island in the subantarctic region of the Southern Ocean.

The islands have a cool, oceanic climate with average temperatures around 50°F (10°C) and frequent rainfall up to 100 inches (2,500 mm) per year. Vegetation is dominated by tussock grassland, scrublands, flower fields, and some small forest patches of trees like Antipodes Island Tree Daisy and Cook’s Scurvy Grass.

The parakeets mainly reside on the largest 6 square mile (15 square km) Antipodes Island, but also inhabit nearby Bollons Island, Leeward Island, and Figure Of Eight Island. Their global range is confined to these rugged islands.

In 1978, estimated population numbers were as high as 1,200-1,300 parakeets but have dropped to just 600-800 remaining and are still declining. The majority live on Antipodes Island proper, with the Figure of Eight islet hosting the only distinct sub-population. Their remote island location has allowed evolution in isolation but also leaves them vulnerable, as any disaster could wipe out the entirety of this rare species.

Diet and Feeding

The Antipodes Green Parakeet is a herbivorous species, feeding mainly on plant material including seeds, fruits, nectar, pollen and even some flowers and leaves. Research shows they prefer feeding on tussock grass seeds but also utilize over 25 native plant species on the islands.

Parakeets have strong curved beaks well-adapted for cracking hard seeds and nuts. Their brush-tipped tongues allow them to extract nectar from flowers and juices from fruits. They’ve been spotted hanging upside down or stretching acrobatically to reach favored food plants.

They are agile fliers, covering distances up to 1 mile (1.6 km) over the course of a day foraging between favored feeding and roosting areas across their rocky habitat. Much of their time is spent feeding – up to 68% of daylight hours. Peak feeding occurs in the early morning and late afternoon each day.

In addition to plant material, parakeets may occasionally eat some small insects for protein. Chicks during the nesting period are fed regurgitated seeds and fruits by attentive parent birds. Providing the proper nutrition helps chicks grow and prepare them for surviving independently.

Breeding and Reproduction

The Antipodes Green Parakeet breeds during the summer months from November to February on the islands. They are monogamous breeders, partnering with a single mate each season.

Courtship displays like mutual preening and feeding help form pair bonds. Males attract females by showing off bright plumage and performing acrobatic flights around potential nesting sites. Once bonded, pairs search tree holes and cavities to serve as nest sites, with competition high for the best and safest sites.

Females lay clutches of 4-8 small white eggs within the chosen nest cavity, often a hole in an island tree tree daisy orCook’s scurvy grass up to 65 feet (20 meters) above ground. She incubates the eggs alone for around 21 days while the male keeps watch and delivers food to her.

Hatchlings are altricial, blind and helpless with light grey downy feathers. Both parents work hard provisioning the chicks with regurgitated foods over 6-7 weeks until fledged. Once able to fly and fend for themselves, juveniles leave the nest but may still associate and learn survival skills from parents for some months. This devotion to raising just a few offspring each season limits reproductive rates for the species.

Behavior and Ecology

The Antipodes Green Parakeet exhibits typical parrot behaviors but also shows unique adaptations to its remote island environment. They are highly social, spending much of their time roosting and foraging in groups called flocks or “chatterings” that may include up to 30-50 birds.

Their loud, screechy contact calls ring out as they fly swiftly between sites or cluster together on branches. Some research suggests the frequency of their calls is tuned perfectly to transmit effectively across the open landscapes of their homeland. Flocks display communal rituals like group preening which strengthens social bonds between birds.

They make regular daily movements about their range, leaving overnight roost cavities at dawn to disperse and feed, then return to roost 30 minutes before sundown. This efficient routine maximizes time spent feeding while minimizing risk of predation at night. These rhythms follow the summer breeding season when populations concentrate in core habitat, then winter months when they range more widely.

Nesting ecology is a key feature as suitable tree hollows for breeding are limited, leading to competition. As opportunistic cavity nesters adapting to local flora, they also exhibit flexibility by occasionally building arboreal nests or using rock crevices for nest sites if needed, behaviors not seen in their close cousins. Such readiness to exploit their environment assists the survival of this species on its secluded islands.

Conservation Status

Due to declining numbers and multiple threats in its restricted island habitat, the Antipodes Green Parakeet is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as of 2020. Its threat level represents an improvement from Critically Endangered status in the past. However, ongoing conservation management is still much needed.

Across three centuries since first discovery, the parakeet population is estimated to have fallen from over 3,000 to just 600-800 birds today due to threats introduced by humans. Starting in the 1800s, invasive mammal species like pigs, goats, mice and cats devastated native flora and preyed directly on adult birds and eggs. By 1978 only an estimated 500 birds survived.

Targeted removal efforts of invasive mammals began in the 1990s by New Zealand’s Department of Conservation and led to the complete eradication of goats by the early 2000s. With predators controlled, some recovery of forest habitats and bird numbers occurred. More pigs and cats have since been culled and all three islands were officially declared predator free by 2020, but maintenance efforts continue.

Despite progress, risks still remain from the harsh environment, nest site availability, disease and the potential return of invasive predators that could quickly reverse positive trends. Continued monitoring and protection work of both the parakeets and the islands themselves offers hope that one day this unusual parrot may no longer be endangered.

Conclusion

The Antipodes Island Green Parakeet stands out as the only endemic parrot species found in the New Zealand archipelago. Over centuries of evolution in separation on remote rugged islands, it has diverged into a uniquely colorful and sounding bird.

But with less than 1,000 surviving individuals restricted to a tiny range and facing threats new and old, this extraordinary parakeet needs support. Targeted conservation efforts over recent decades offer some hope through habitat restoration and strict predator control.

However, the challenges of its isolated island ecology mean the future of the species is still under threat. This makes ongoing population monitoring and maintenance of invasive predator-free status for the Antipodes Islands absolutely critical.

The importance of the endangered Antipodes Green Parakeet extends far beyond its vibrant green feathers. As New Zealand battles biodiversity crises affecting many native species, saving this rare island parrot symbolizes the protection of wildlife and unique island ecosystems at risk across the world’s oceans. Perhaps through committed stewardship guided by the māori ethic of guardianship over land and nature, the islands’ endemic birds can be secured well into the future.

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Endemic to this lone volcanic isle only 6 miles wide, no more than 250 of these vibrant little parrots remain. Classified as critically endangered, they cling to survival due to extensive habitat loss. Yet still they brightness this tropical paradise like feathered gems with their dazzling hues.

Measuring just 11 inches from head to tail, the Lord Howe Parakeet exhibits resplendent plumage. Brilliant green wings and back offset their golden yellow heads and breasts. With rounded tails and the characteristic curved beaks of parrots, these budgerigar-like creatures stand out against the palm fronds. Their verdant and gilded feathers once inspired the island’s nickname of “Paradise of Parakeets.”

But without proper conservation, you may never witness these Polynesian parrots again outside of history books. Urgent actions have been underway since the 1960s to prevent their extinction. From captive breeding initiatives to habitat restoration, reversing centuries of introduced predators and deforestation, there is hope on the horizon to save this natural treasure.

History and Taxonomy

The Lord Howe Parakeet remained unknown to early European explorers when they first encountered the island in 1788 aboard the HMS Supply. They failed to provide any record of the abundant parrots. It wasn’t until 1834 that naturalists visiting aboard the British warship HMS Challenger noted the bright green and yellow birds.

English zoologist George Robert Gray first scientifically described the species in 1859, classifying it as Platycercus subflavescens. Later renamed Cyanoramphus subflavescens, today it still bears this identification as its binomial nomenclature.

Belonging in the Psittaculidae family within the parrot superfamily, the Lord Howe Parakeet is a true parrot. Designated as a member of the Cyanoramphus genus, its closest cousins include the Antipodes Parakeet, Red-fronted Parakeet, and Three Kings Parakeet—all restricted to small islands around New Zealand averaging 15 to 30 miles wide.

Sharing traits like bright plumage and adaptation to island ecosystems, parakeets in the Cyanoramphus genus likely descended from mainland Australasian ancestors. At some point estimated within the last 2 million years, ancestral parrots dispersed to remote volcanic islands. Here they remained isolated with limited predation, evolving into the unique endemic species recognized today.

The establishment of captive breeding programs began In 1969 at the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens and Australian National Wildlife Collection in Canberra after recognition these unique parakeets teetered at the edge of extinction. These efforts over subsequent decades eventually enabled small numbers to be reintroduced at Lord Howe Island, saving the Lord Howe Parakeet from vanishing forever into history.

Physical Appearance

Measuring 11 inches (28 cm) from head to tail, the Lord Howe Parakeet exudes a vivid brilliance. Weighing only 1.5-2 ounces (40-55 grams), its lightweight body enables effortless flight between palms.

Splashes of neon colors decorate its feathers. The forehead, checks, breast and abdomen glow bright yellow while emerald wings and back contrast dramatically. A few yellow and green feathers intermix between areas in a gradient pattern. Tail feathers display yellow tips.

Like most parrots, the Lord Howe Parakeet does not exhibit differences in plumage between males and females. Juveniles look nearly identical to adults as well aside from slightly duller versions of the vibrant coloration.

A few key physical traits differentiate the Lord Howe Parakeet from close Australian cousins. It possesses an overall smaller stature and shorter tail. The upper mandible of its signature curved parrot beak contains a distinct notch absent in related species.

Researchers hypothesize this unique beak feature may allow easier access to palm fruit kernels—an important part of the species diet. While feeding, the parakeet can wedge open seeds more readily to access the nutritious interior contents other parrots might struggle to unlock. This gave the Lord Howe a competitive edge on an island lacking sufficient resources to sustain too many bird species.

The parakeet’s bright spring green wings, thought to be an adaptation for camouflage amongst foliage instead of attracting mates, also set it apart. No matter the purpose, there’s no denying this little parrot’s beauty belongs alongside macaws and cockatoos as one of nature’s living rainbows.

Habitat and Distribution

The Lord Howe Parakeet evolved as an endemic species to remote Lord Howe Island—a solitary land mass located 380 miles (611 km) off Australia’s east coast in the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand. Formed from volcanic eruptions more than 6 million years ago, this small tropical island spans only 6 miles wide by 2.5 miles long (9.7 km x 4 km).

Mountainous and lush from ample rainfall, Lord Howe vegetation primarily consists of dense rainforests, palm groves and woodlands dotted with banyan trees. Its mild subtropical climate stays near 70°F year-round (21°C) with average humidity at 75-80%. Within this limited world the Lord Howe Parakeet long flourished while most other bird species failed to take hold except petrels, rails, pigeons and songbirds like the endemic Lord Howe Golden Whistler.

Historically existing nowhere else but Lord Howe Island located halfway between Australia and New Zealand, the parakeet once inhabited nearly all forest and palm habitats across the full land area. But forest clearance and depredation of nests caused populations to dwindle until only 200-250 birds congregated in small areas of remaining palms by the 1960s. Conservation actions expanded restored habitats, enabling some increase again closer to 500 birds partially recovered in select areas of their former range. Reintroduction programs stand poised to boost populations and distribution wider still—a hopeful outcome after this parakeet narrowly escaped fading into extinction.

Diet and Feeding

The Lord Howe Parakeet holds the designation as the only completely herbivorous parrot species in the world. It does not consume any insects or meat like close relations. Instead, a key to its survival lies in the ability to derive sufficient nutrition from plant sources alone on an island lacking diverse food resources.

Frugivory represents the primary feeding mode, with its curved beak specially adapted to open tough palm fruits. The parakeet’s diet consists predominantly of palm tree kernels and nuts from the abundant native Kentia palms (Howea forsteriana). It swallows these whole to later access the meaty interiors.

The parakeet supplements palm nuts with nectar from various flowering shrubs and trees like banyans, lillipillis and shoebuttons. Pollen and ripe forest berries also occasionally get ingested. Rarely, if palm crops fail in drought years, the parakeet falls back on seed pods and green leaf shoots—but only feeds nestlings these suboptimal backup meals as a last resort since they provide inadequate nutrition.

To crack open the tough shells of palm nuts, the upper mandible of the Lord Howe Parakeet’s light green beak evolved a special notch near the tip not found in close Australian cousins. This enables easier access to the nutritious oil-rich kernels through prying action. They use their muscular tongues to manipulate and swallow the kernels, rarely dropping them thanks to uniquely structured throat muscles.

Feeding occurs most actively soon after sunrise when nuts mature overnight and sugars in nectar flow fastest. Late afternoon through dusk also provides prime foraging time on ripened fruits and arboreal flowers. The parakeet feeds either solo, in pairs or small familial flocks of 12 or less, congregating in palms and blossoming trees heavy with bounty.

Breeding and Reproduction

The Lord Howe Parakeet reaches sexual maturity by 18 months old. Monogamous breeding pairs mate for life. The breeding season falls between September and March yearly, coinciding with the spring and summer months on the island which sustains the most abundant food sources.

Elaborate mating displays take place as the pair strengthens their lifelong bond. The male parakeet exhibits courtship feeding, regurgitating palm nuts to the female accompanied by loud squawks, spreading wings and bobbing motions. If she accepts, the pair preens each other’s colorful feathers and may gently lock beaks. The female later solicits mating by positioning herself horizontally on a perch, ready to produce the season’s clutch.

Nest hollows get excavated high up in the decaying trunks of palm trees typically 15-30 feet (5-9 meters) above ground. Both the male and female parakeet use their curved beaks to meticulously dig out a round hole in the soft inner wood of the Kentia or Curly Palm over several weeks. Shredded bits of wood get cleared out creating a cozy cavity ready to cradle a clutch of eggs.

The typical clutch numbers only two or three small white eggs averaging .8 inches (2 cm) long. The female incubates them alone for around 21 days while the male gathers food and guards the nest site vigilantly. Upon hatching featherless and helpless, the hungry chicks get fed regurgitated fruit pulp by both parents constantly over 6-8 weeks until fledging from the nest. Most breeding pairs succeed in raising one chick annually.

Behavior and Ecology

The Lord Howe Parakeet leads primarily an arboreal existence, spending nearly its entire life amongst the rainforest canopy and palms where it roosts, forages and breeds. Seasons dictate much activity within this restricted realm.

Daily patterns adjust depending on weather, food resources and breeding duties. In peak summertime when nut crops flourish, most activity runs from dawn to mid morning then again late afternoon into dusk. Hot midday hours get spent quietly hidden amongst the fronds. Breeding season keeps bonded pairs busier sustaining demanding hatchlings from early morning well into evening with fewer breaks. Rainstorms prompt short periods of shelter seeking before returning promptly back to vital foraging tasks.

Roosting occurs in family units amongst dense clusters of Curly Palm fronds called crowns which offer shelter. Here the largely silent parakeet tucks its head behind wing to rest safely hidden above ground predators. High up in these lofty palms it also digs out nesting hollows.

The parakeet always occupies territory overlapping with native palms which provide the bulk of sustenance. Home ranges stretch up to 30 acres (12 hectares) depending on food scarcity. Within these zones only the mating pair freely roams while juvenile fledglings remain sheltered close nearby. Sizable flocks rarely congregate except at the most bountiful food sources in peak season, dispersing quickly back to defensive domains.

Few creatures pose dangers to this well concealed canopy forager outside of occasional aerial attacks by seabirds and raptors including owls and the native Lord Howe Island Peregrine Falcon. Defensive behavior consists mainly of fleeing rapidly deeper into vegetation cover. Its main survival strategy relies on camouflage and discretion. Successful adaptation to such an isolated habitat with so few competitors indeed served the Lord Howe Parakeet well for thousands of years—until human intervention disrupted the ecological balance.

Conservation Status

Centuries of blissful isolation kept the Lord Howe Parakeet thriving as one of the island’s most prolific endemics. But human activity soon tipped populations into dangerous decline toward extinction. Habitat destruction along with imported pests and disease decimated their numbers from abundant to critically endangered.

Following European discovery of Lord Howe in 1788, sailors and settlers unleashed goats, pigs and black rats by 1800. These invasive mammals devoured native vegetation, preventing forest regeneration. Black rats eagerly raided wildlife nests for eggs and chicks, including those of the defenseless parakeet unaccustomed to such predators. Whalers and fishermen also frequently poached the parrots for food. Deforestation then intensified from 1856 onward through burning and logging trees for agriculture, causing wholesale habitat loss. Stocks of the once common parakeet rapidly dwindled.

By 1923 surveys estimated less than 50 Lord Howe Parakeets clung to existence. Alarmed at their imperiled status, capture and export finally halted along with culling of goats by the 1930s. However the parakeet population continued declining further when in 1964 the deadly Ceratopyslla setosa bat flea introduced from Australia began spreading a pox-like virus. This severe disease erupts in open skin lesions often leaving afflicted birds blind, preventing proper feeding and eventually causing death. Soon only 20-35 parakeets remained, putting the species on the brink of extinction.

In response, the Lord Howe Island Board launched intensive recovery efforts still ongoing today. Select survivors got captured and quarantined for captive breeding to revive populations. Eradication of black rats, feral cats and illegal logging allowed palm and forest habitats to regenerate. A vaccine against the parakeet pox virus continues managing disease outbreaks. From the 1990s onward these persistent conservation actions facilitated the slow return of wild Lord Howe Parakeets with numbers now estimating around 320 adults. While still endangered, extinction got narrowly averted and hope renews populations still have potential to fully recover their island realm one day soon.

Cultural Significance

The very moniker “Lord Howe Island” pays homage to the flagship endemic parakeet residents early British mariners observed in abundance. Throughout the 1800s sailors and settlers viewed both the island and parakeets as exotic Polynesian treasures, referencing a “paradise of parakeets” in their accounts. Studies describe the species as highly valued historically both as colorful live specimens eagerly sought by collectors and as food. Their image came to symbolize island wildlife and the unique bioregion belonging neither to Australia or New Zealand by political boundaries yet an ecosystem unlike either.

As the avian emblem for this World Heritage Site, the Lord Howe Parakeet plays a special role in fostering pride and attention toward broader conservation goals to protect the fragile island habitat and its rare diversity of plants and animals. Since the parakeet came so dangerously close to extinction beginning in the 1960s, concerted recovery initiatives stand as a model of successful species and ecosystem preservation through control of invasives and disease, public education and captive breeding efforts. From school curriculum highlighting the parakeets to informative signage for tourists to sponsorship programs empowering locals to replant native vegetation, outreach continues engaging everyone to participate in healing ecological damage. Tour companies now lead birding excursions to see the vibrant parakeets in their palm forest home as a source of eco-tourism revenue benefitting residents.

While much works remains to restore stable wild populations and forest habitats, the Lord Howe Parakeet importantly shines as a hopeful victory and key motivator for ongoing conservation across the island that nearly lost one of its most iconic and beloved inhabitants. The extinction of this tiny parrot would have signified not only the loss of a beautiful and fascinating species, but also further degradation to the island’s fragile biodiversity and human connection to the environment. Its survival instead gives flight to the aspirations of all those fighting to preserve the special character and ecological heritage of the remote subtropical forests it calls home.

Conclusion

The vibrant green and yellow Lord Howe Parakeet stands as one of Earth’s most visually stunning birds, yet tragically as little as 300 of these Australian natives teeter on the brink of extinction. Restricted to its namesake remote volcanic island between Australia and New Zealand harboring at least 10 endemic plant and animal species found nowhere else, this petite parrot filled a special role in island ecology over millions of years as a seed spreader facilitating forest regeneration. Driven devastatingly close to extinction by habitat destruction, uncontrolled predators and deadly disease outbreaks in just decades, the beloved parakeet also holds treasured status as the island’s flagship symbol for unique biodiversity.

Now the focus of intensive recovery efforts through captive breeding and release programs in restored protected habitat aimed at revival of wild populations, the Lord Howe Parakeet offers inspiration and cautious optimism in the global challenges of species conservation. From students studying its importance as an essential part of the delicate island ecosystem to tourists appreciating its flash of green and gold winging over palm groves, this Polynesian parrot became a motivator for forest regeneration and invasive mammal eradication to heal the island from centuries of devastation by human activity. The continued survival of the amazing Lord Howe Parakeet in its island paradise depends now on persistent environmental stewardship valuing all facets of its rare endemic biodiversity worth treasuring for generations to come.

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These rare parrots only live on the Pacific island of New Caledonia, located east of Australia. Standing barely 5 inches (13 cm) tall, they have an oversized personality packed into a petite frame. New Caledonian Parakeets are extremely social and live in small, noisy groups that flit through the upper canopy of tropical forests.

These parrots have faced hardship recently. Over the last 30 years, more than 90% of their population has disappeared. New Caledonian Parakeets now number less than 1,000 total birds remaining in the wild. Their beautiful green and red feathers even earned them a spot on New Caledonia’s postage stamps before they became endangered.

“New Caledonian Parakeets act like typical naughty parrots – loud, comical, and endearing.”

In this article, you’ll uncover what makes these parrots special, from their unique taxonomic history to unusual courtship behaviors. You’ll also learn ways that scientists and conservationists are working to protect these parrots and bring their numbers back from the brink. So let’s spread our wings and dive into the treetops to unlock the secrets of New Caledonia’s iconic parakeets!

History and Taxonomy

New Caledonian Parakeets puzzled scientists when they were first documented by explorer Jules Verreaux in the 1860s. Their bright red foreheads seemed to match other parakeets found in Australia and the islands north of New Zealand. Yet something about them didn’t quite fit.

These birds were originally classified in the genus Cyanoramphus, grouping them with other parakeets living throughout the southwestern Pacific. But in 1997, scientists reclassified them to a new genus Eunymphicus based on certain skeletal differences.

Further genetic studies muddled things even more. Analysis showed New Caledonian Parakeets were more closely related to some of their Cyanoramphus cousins than previously thought. In 2021, scientists came full circle and returned the parakeets back to the original Cyanoramphus genus based on evolutionary relationships.

Through all this reshuffling, one fact has become clear – New Caledonian Parakeets are still their own distinct species. Their genetic uniqueness mirrors New Caledonia’s isolation over 900 miles (1,500 km) from any continental landmass. This remoteness allowed New Caledonian Parakeets to follow their own evolutionary path.

Physical Appearance

The bright green feathers covering a New Caledonian Parakeet’s body and tail give away its parrot family ties. But several unique physical traits help these petite 5-inch (13 cm) tall birds stand out.

Their common name comes from the vibrant crimson patch of feathers spreading across the forehead and around the eyes. This red facial “mask” is a distinctive look the males proudly display when courting females.

Peek underneath the wings and you’ll spot another flash of color – rich royal blue lining the primary wing feathers. This iridescent hue glows brightly when sunlight hits at the right angle.

These parakeets do show some dimorphism between genders. Males tend to have more extensive red facial markings paired with brighter green upperparts. Females have slightly duller plumage overall. But personality-wise, both genders are equally gregarious and high-strung.

Some key physical adaptions help New Caledonian Parakeets thrive in their forest home. Their swift, agile flight allows them to navigate quickly through dense treetops. Zygodactyl feet with two toes facing forward and two facing back perfectly grip branches. And a strong curved beak cracks open tough native fruits and seeds.

Habitat and Distribution

New Caledonian Parakeets live up to their “island endemic” status – they are found nowhere else in the world besides New Caledonia. This slice of a tropical island lies isolated in the southern Pacific Ocean, roughly 750 miles (1,200 km) east of Australia.

The island has a mainland portion simply named Grande Terre, meaning “large land” in French. This nickname hints at the diversity of landscapes packed into the island’s 3,600 square miles (9,390 square km). Rugged mountains covered in dense tropical rainforest dominate the interior, while patches of savanna grasslands trim the coastline.

It is within Grande Terre’s forested interior that New Caledonian Parakeets make their home. They stick to warmer lowland rainforest and woodland regions below 3,000 feet (900 m) in elevation. The parakeets particularly flock to valley forests with taller, mature trees.

These agile parrots spend nearly all their time up in the forest canopy feeding, socializing, and nesting in tree cavities. You’re more likely to hear their raucous squawks first before spotting a flock bursting through the treetops. Finding these endangered birds takes patience as they blend into the green forest backdrop.

Diet and Feeding

New Caledonian Parakeets aren’t picky eaters. As omnivores, they’ll sample just about anything edible from the surrounding forest buffet. Their diverse diet reflects the need to thrive on an isolated island with limited food choices.

You’re most likely to catch these parakeets foraging for various native fruits and berries. Figs, plantains, and an endemic fruit called niaouli feature as forest favorites. To switch things up, the parakeets also nibble on fresh buds, seeds, and nectar.

This rainbow-hued flock zips through the rainforest canopy targeting their next tasty snack. Using their curved upper bill like a Swiss army knife, they can effortlessly slice open hard fruits and extract seeds.

Their feeding isn’t always welcomed, however. Farmers consider New Caledonian Parakeets crop pests for damaging important food sources like banana, coconut, and mango crops. But the destruction works both ways. With fewer mature fruit trees left in the shrinking rainforest, more parakeets turn to raiding farms out of desperation.

The parakeets do offer an upside beyond squawky pest – they serve as critical native forest pollinators. As they travel from tree to tree feeding, pollen clings to their heads and bellies and rubs off on the next blossom. This ensures a future supply of forests fruits and seeds.

Breeding and Reproduction

Around October when fruit trees begin blossoming, New Caledonian Parakeet couples prepare for their own season of new beginnings. These monogamous birds pick long-term partners that stay paired for life.

To woo potential mates, males show off bright colored facial markings and shiny wing feathers. If successful, pairs then inspect nesting cavities high up in the rainforest canopy carved out by woodpeckers or termite damage.

Females lay small clutches of only 3-4 round, chalky white eggs. Both parents then share duty incubating the eggs, taking shifts over the 22-24 days until they hatch. If food is plentiful, the pairs may raise two broods back-to-back.

The helpless hatchlings emerge nearly naked and blind, relying completely on their parents for survival. Good thing New Caledonian Parakeets make such attentive caregivers, frequently returning to the nest with nutritious fruits and seeds to feed the chicks.

Around 6-7 weeks after hatching, the young are fully fledged and ready to leave the nest. But they’ll stick close to their parents learning how to forage and avoid predators. Within their first year, the young parakeets will join a flock of other singles looking to someday woo their own partner when mature.

Behavior and Ecology

From first glance, New Caledonian Parakeets showcase all the classic parrot behaviors – intelligent, social, comical, and loud. They pass their days in small flocks of less than 20 birds foraging, preening, squabbling, and shrieking to each other.

You’re most likely to find them actively feeding early morning and late afternoon. The hottest parts of the day are reserved for siestas hidden out of the sun. But quick tropical downpours might send them scattering for cover before returning promptly to their activities.

Unlike other parrot species, New Caledonian Parakeets seem naturally shy and wary of humans. But amongst themselves they have no sense of stranger danger. These innately trusting birds show no fear towards introduced predators like rats or snakes that now infiltrate their forest homes.

That’s partly why invasive mammalian predators have become so devastating. Beyond habitat loss, they are the main reason New Caledonian Parakeet numbers have nosedived close to extinction levels. Rats raid nests full of eggs and chicks while feral cats ambush unwitting adults.

For millions of years these parakeets evolved lacking mammalian predators. So when rats came barging in as stowaways on ships in the 1800s, the parakeets had zero defense strategies to employ. This inability to coexist with invasive species continues to threaten their slim chances of survival.

Conservation Status

New Caledonian Parakeets have the unfortunate distinction of being classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This troubling status indicates the birds face a very high risk of going extinct in the near future.

Best estimates suggest only 500-1,000 New Caledonian Parakeets currently survive across their native range. That represents a staggering 90% drop in their total population over the last 30 years alone.

This sharp decline stems from the double-punch of habitat loss and invasive predators. Expanding nickel mining and logging operations continue fragmenting and degrading suitable forest. And mammals like rats and feral cats infiltrate what habitat remains, devastating native wildlife unused to their presence.

Other threats like illegal poaching for the pet trade and climate change loom ominously for this Endangered species as well. New Caledonian Parakeets have a constricted range limited to one medium-sized island, leaving them highly vulnerable. If storms or drought knock out their remaining habitat, they have nowhere else to shelter.

Conservationists are taking action, but the clock is ticking. Survival depends on safeguarding remaining rainforest corridors and controlling invasive mammal numbers. Captive breeding programs provide an important backup, but the ultimate goal is restoring self-sustaining wild populations.

The coming decades will determine whether New Caledonia’s beloved green and red parakeets rebound or fade away forever into the forest canopies of history.

Cultural Significance

The vibrant green, red, and blue plumage of New Caledonian Parakeets has left a cultural impression spanning far beyond their remote Pacific island home. These tropical birds have become interwoven into local artwork, legends, and symbols of pride.

The parakeets’ reputation and unique appearance earned them recognition on a New Caledonian postage stamp series in 1969. This commemorated native birds when populations were still robust and thriving.

More recently, a stylized red-masked parakeet served as the official logo for environmental programs on Grande Terre. Local groups like Programme Forestier provincial adopted the graphic to showcase biological diversity conservation across New Caledonia.

According to legend, New Caledonian Parakeets got their bright red facial markings from the blood of an ancient warrior. After slaying his enemy in battle, the warrior used a parakeet’s feathers to clean the blood from his war club. The crimson colored feathers remained as a symbol of victory and pride for his descendants.

The very name New Caledonians have for their iconic island parrot further demonstrates fond cultural connections. In Nemi, the native language, they are called “Notou” which loosely translates to “little red head” – an apt description for these crimson-crowned birds.

As “Notou” populations decline, they risk becoming no more than artwork, postal history, or legend. Ensuring New Caledonian Parakeets thrive again in neighborhood forests will maintain beloved cultural links for generations to come.

Conclusion

In your brief rainforest encounter with New Caledonian Parakeets, you were left with a vivid impression – petite and colorful, comically playful, yet surprisingly vulnerable. These unique island endemic parrots have personality to spare, but their very existence now teeters on the brink.

Once locally abundant, only an estimated 500-1,000 New Caledonian Parakeets remain. Predation from invasive mammal species along with ongoing habitat loss have decimated populations by over 90% in recent decades. Their distinctive crimson facial markings even inspired New Caledonian postage stamps before the parakeets became Endangered.

Yet hope persists for saving these birds as conservation actions slowly ramp up. Habitat restoration projects are underway to connect fragmented rainforest corridors and control populations of destructive invasive predators. A captive breeding program safeguards valuable genetic diversity if reintroduction back to the wild becomes necessary.

The outlook remains cloudy, but local biologists are determined to ensure New Caledonian Parakeets prosper across their island home once more. As the signature rainforest bird, their frenetic flocks offer an audible reminder of wild Grande Terre. By restoring endangered “Notou” parakeets, New Caledonians preserve links to their unique natural and cultural heritage.

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About 30 centimeters (12 inches) from beak to tail, the Red-crowned Parakeet is a mid-sized parrot brightening up native forests from the Far North region to Stewart Island with its vibrant colors. Its scientific name, Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae, comes from Greek and Latin roots meaning “New Zealand blue-yellow bill.” But one look at the feathers on top of its head, and you’ll see where this little parakeet gets its common English name.

Once found throughout both main islands of New Zealand, loss of habitat now restricts remaining Red-crowned Parakeet populations to reserve lands and offshore islands. However, recent releases onto predator-free islands and mainland sanctuaries offer hope for the future.

As we explore the natural history, physical appearance, habitat, and conservation outlook for this eye-catching parrot, we’ll uncover why protecting New Zealand’s only native parakeet species matters. Let’s start by tracing the history of how the Red-crowned Parakeet was first discovered by early European explorers to arrive on New Zealand’s shores.

History and Taxonomy

The first known European documentation of the Red-crowned Parakeet came from explorer Captain James Cook during his first voyage to New Zealand in 1769. Cook and his crew recorded sightings of small green parrots with red markings on their heads. Specimens were later collected by naturalist Sir Joseph Banks and officially classified in 1788 by English ornithologist John Latham, who gave the species its original scientific name of Psittacus novaezealandiae.

Over the next century, several ornithologists reclassified the Red-crowned Parakeet into different genera based on new insights from studying morphological features. Notable name changes occurred in 1854 under naturalist Jean Cabanis’s designation of Platycercus novaezelandiae, and again in 1891 by renowned English zoologist Walter Buller with the naming of Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae.

This last scientific name change by Buller endures to the present day. The genus Cyanoramphus denotes the blue and yellow coloring in the wings and tail feathers, while the species epithet novaezelandiae signifies New Zealand as home to this parakeet species. No further taxonomic revisions have occurred since Buller’s classification over 130 years ago.

So while Captain Cook and crew can be credited for the first western documentation of our crimson-crowned friend back in 1769, it took subsequent decades for scientists to arrive at the enduring scientific name for the Red-crowned Parakeet that remains in use today.

Physical Appearance

The most striking feature of the Red-crowned Parakeet is of course the vibrant red feathers topping its head, which give rise to its common name. These crimson crown feathers are unique among New Zealand’s parakeets.

In body size, Red-crowned Parakeets reach approximately 28 to 33 centimeters (11 to 13 inches) long on average from the tip of the beak to the end of the tail feathers. They are a mid-sized parrot similar in length to a Budgerigar, but somewhat slimmer in build. Average body mass ranges between 50 to 60 grams (1.8 to 2.1 ounces).

The base body color of adult birds is a bright grass green, covering the breast, wings, mantle, back region, and parts of the undertail. Some yellow-green edging occurs on the primary wing feathers. The lower belly transitions to a deep blue-violet hue. The pointed tail feathers display a mix of green, blue, black, and yellow banding. Female parakeets show a grayish tint to the green feathers on their wings and back.

Both sexes initially lack the red crown coloring as juveniles. The vibrant crimson head feathers instead emerge and intensify as young birds mature over their first year. At all stages, the stout beak maintains a bluish-gray hue with a lighter yellowish tip to the upper mandible – a distinguishing “blue-yellow bill” mark of the genus.

So when sighting a flash of green and red darting through New Zealand’s forests, you can confidently identify an adult Red-crowned Parakeet from its colorful namesake plumage.

Habitat and Distribution

Historically, Red-crowned Parakeets inhabited broadleaf and southern beech forests across New Zealand’s North and South Islands before human settlement. Deforestation from logging and land clearing for agriculture dramatically reduced their forest habitat over the past 800 years. Today, wild populations mainly occupy native forest fragments and reserves.

The northernmost strongholds lie within the vast Northland forests spanning the upper North Island. Scattered populations persist southward through coastal and lowland woodlands of the North Island’s eastern flank down to Wellington. On the South Island, most remaining wild Red-crowned Parakeets are restricted to pockets along the northwest Nelson/Marlborough region, including islands within the Marlborough Sounds.

Recent estimates put the total wild population at between 3,000 to 7,000 birds. However, their scattered distribution across 13 fragmented sites of native forest makes Red-crowned Parakeets more vulnerable to decline. Islands like Little Barrier in the Hauraki Gulf as well as predator-free Kapiti Island off Wellington support important protected populations as well.

Since 2020, conservation groups have also successfully translocated Red-crowned Parakeets to several mainland sanctuaries and small forested islands around New Zealand that previously lacked them. These habitat restoration efforts aim to reestablish additional genetically robust populations across a greater portion of the species’ original range over time through careful release and monitoring.

So from the upper Northland forests to the Marlborough Sounds and portions of New Zealand’s protected offshore islands, small dispersed bands of these crimson-crowned parakeets still frequent native bushlands their ancestors have called home for hundreds of years. Ongoing habitat protection and population restoration now seek to expand their safe forest habitat.

Diet and Feeding

As with most parakeets, Red-crowned Parakeets are primarily herbivorous, feeding on a variety of flowers, herbs, seeds, and fruits. Their typical diet consists of plant nectar, pollen, native seeds and berries, buds, blossoms, and leaf shoots.

Common native plants utilized for feeding include flax bushes, kowhai, fuchsia, tawa, and a number of coprosma and myrsine species. Red-crowned Parakeets use their pointed brush-tipped tongue to take advantage of flower nectaries. They have also adapted to take nectar from exotic flowers and fruits as well.

You’ll often observe these active foragers in small flocks of up to 20 to 30 birds, moving acrobatically through trees and overgrowth while feeding. The strongest populations on offshore islands like Little Barrier display more movement during mornings and afternoons between favored feeding trees and inland roosting sites.

On the North Island, favored food trees include pohutukawa, kohekohe and taraire. On the South Island, they will target wineberry, honeysuckle, fuchsia, flax and tree lucerne. No matter what native forest habitat they live in, a diversity of flowering and fruiting bush plants sustains populations of the Red-crowned Parakeet year-round.

So whether nipping buds high up in tall kauri trees or stretching to take nectar from flax flowers, Red-crowned Parakeets have adapted to extract nutrition from a wide breadth of native and endemic vegetation across New Zealand’s remaining forest fragments.

Breeding and Reproduction

The breeding season for Red-crowned Parakeets extends from November through February on the North Island and December through March on the South Island. The peak of egg laying occurs in December and January when abundant food sources aid breeding success.

As monogamous birds, they form close pairwise bonds, typically for life once paired off at age 2 to 3 years old. You’ll often see bonded pairs staying close together or preening each other’s feathers affectionately. Pairs vocalize to each other frequently with a contact call sounding like a shrill, rolling “keet” sound.

For nesting sites, Red-crowned Parakeets prefer either tree cavities from decay in large native trees or concealed forks amid dense vegetation like epiphytes or vines. Both sexes participate to build the nest structure, using small twigs, grasses, bark strips, and other plant material. Nest hollows measure approximately 8 centimeters (3 inches) wide and 23 centimeters (9 inches) deep on average.

The typical clutch size is 3 to 5 white eggs that the female broods for an incubation period lasting around 21 days. Once hatched, both parents share feeding responsibilities to deliver regurgitated plant material to nestlings. Chicks develop all juvenile feather coloring by age 8 weeks but need another month to graduate to flight.

Breeding productivity is lower for island populations, as nest predation can be high from native birds like kākā parrots. However mainland pens and restored sanctuary sites with predator control achieve higher nest success. From courtship rituals through to eventual fledging of chicks, proximity of mated pairs is crucial to each seasonal nesting cycle.

So the bonds formed between breeding Red-crowned Parakeets fuel continued nesting success. Care given to eggs and chicks also offers hope for boosting productivity to aid future population growth.

Behavior and Ecology

Red-crowned Parakeets exhibit very social behaviors, foraging and roosting in small flocks most times of year. The average group size ranges between 20 to 30 birds. Younger non-breeding birds may form larger flocks of up to 60 to feed.

Their flight pattern is swift and direct with rapid wing beats on initial take off. Soaring flight occurs across open spaces between forest patches or when moving dusk roosting sites. Their call is a rolling “keet” sound made in flight or when perched.

Roosting takes place in forest canopies during midday and more sheltered thickets overnight. Coastal populations may commute inland to roost. Bathing involves brief dips then vigorous shaking and preening plumage. Dust baths within loose soil also help ensure feather maintenance and skin cleansing.

As predominantly arboreal parakeets, most of their activity and life cycles take place high up or within the protection of tall trees and dense scrublands. Having adapted to coexist alongside other native New Zealand birds over centuries, Red-crowned Parakeets don’t compete strongly with other species.

Their chosen foods only partially overlap with nectar-feeding Tuis, Bellbirds, stitchbirds and Silvereyes. Nesting in tree holes even provides roosts for Blue Penguins on some offshore islands. Continued conservation to restore native habitats will aid the long term preservation of delicately balanced ecological relationships like these.

So whether calling loudly when approaching favorite feeding trees, taking brief baths at forest edge streams, or chattering excitedly upon returning to roosts, the Red-crowned Parakeet’s visibility and social bonds add vibrance to surviving stretches of New Zealand forests daily.

Conservation Status

Classified as “Nationally Vulnerable” under the New Zealand Threat Classification System, the preservation of the Red-crowned Parakeet faces several challenges.

Historical habitat loss from deforestation severely depleted populations over the past seven centuries. Remaining birds now mainly occupy small fragmented native bush areas totaling less than 10% of their original range. With an estimated 3,000 to 7,000 birds left in the wild, these small isolated groups are at higher risk.

Predation from invasive mammal species like rats, stoats and possums also lowered breeding success until protective sanctuaries could be established on predator-free islands. Avian malaria has had major impacts on populations in the past as well. Competition for nesting cavities with non-native species like starlings contributed to declines too.

However, successful transfers since 2020 to predator-free havens like Zealandia in Wellington, Cape Sanctuary on the Hawke’s Bay coast, and even the Auckland suburb of Ark in the Park now give reasons for optimism. Continued releases onto additional suitable predator-free islands and fenced sanctuary reserves should further boost overall population numbers and resilience over time.

Public education and community-led conservation initiatives also bolster protection efforts across remaining habitats. So while less than 5% of historic numbers exist, active management interventions provide genuine hope that New Zealand’s Red-crowned Parakeet populations can be preserved and expanded in secure locales long term.

Cultural Significance

The bright red crown feathers of New Zealand’s endemic parakeet feature prominently in titles and legends among some Māori iwi (tribes). The name “kākāriki” was used in these stories to refer specifically to the Red-crowned Parakeet.

According to tales of the Ngāi Tahu tribe, their ancestor Tū Te Rakiwhanoa journeyed from Hawkes Bay down to Kaikōura on New Zealand’s South Island pursued by a hostile war party. When the war party stumbled in the darkness, Tū Te Rakiwhanoa was said to have used the red feathers of the kākāriki to create a bright glow to aid their escape southward.

Other stories portray the red feathers being stained by blood during battle. Tribes would capture Red-crowned Parakeets and ceremonially use those blood-colored crown feathers to adorn battle helmets and other garments of chiefs. Variations on these themes emphasize the significance of the crimson feathers in tribal lore.

Today, the Red-crowned Parakeet remains prized in aviculture for its bright emerald green and ruby-red plumage. New Zealand’s unique endemic parakeet continues to hold an iconic status both culturally and environmentally as important campaigns now work to preserve its remaining native habitats.

So whether featuring in indigenous tales of clever escape exploits, or inspiring pride as a distinctly unique parrot only found in New Zealand forests, the crimson crowns of these small green parakeets stir the cultural imagination while underscoring modern efforts focused firmly on sustaining their populations.

Conclusion

The Red-crowned Parakeet holds a truly distinctive place as New Zealand’s only surviving endemic parakeet species. No other bird either locally or abroad matches its eye-catching mix of yellow-blue bill, emerald wings, rich violet underbelly, and of course, its namesake crimson crown feathers.

Weighing just 50 to 60 grams (1.8 to 2.1 ounces) and reaching 25 to 30 centimeters (10 to 12 inches) in length, these mid-sized parrots use brush-tipped tongues to feed on native forest flowers and fruits. Though now limited to scattered populations across remaining forest fragments, offshore islands and mainland sanctuary reserves offer real hope.

Active habitat restoration, transfers to predator-free refuges, and community conservation initiatives all combine to put New Zealand’s Red-crowned Parakeet on a brighter path after centuries of decline from deforestation and introduced predators. Continued public education and funding support remain vital for secure the futures of this special native taonga (treasure) and its forest ecosystem.

From its origins in Māori legend to its modern-day protected status, vibrant emerald green accented in scarlet means only one thing – the unique native Red-crowned Parakeet reigns over New Zealand forests once again thanks to dedicated efforts to preserve its ecological heritage.

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As their name suggests, Malherbe’s parakeets trace their roots to New Zealand. Endemic to certain forested valleys and ridges across the islands, these little birds play important roles in their delicate ecosystems. Their herbivorous diets and industrious nesting habits intertwine them with the native flora and fauna.

However, habitat loss and competition from invasive species threaten these parakeets’ future. Classified as endangered, only about 1000 to 5000 Malherbe’s parakeets remain in the wild. But conservation initiatives aim to reverse the decline of their numbers through forest protection and restoration.

In this article, you’ll learn all about the natural history of Malherbe’s parakeets, from their physical traits to their relationships with native cultures. Delving into the lives of these charming parakeets, you’ll also discover why they hit sour notes for conservationists worldwide. So ruffle your feathers and prepare for a beak-full of captivating details on New Zealand’s canary-colored Cyanoramphus malherbi!

History and Taxonomy

The story of the Malherbe’s parakeet began in the 1800s when European naturalists first documented these small green parrots with bright yellow heads and breasts. In 1851, French ornithologist Charles Malherbe first characterized the species based on a museum specimen found in New Zealand’s forested central valleys. He named the birds Cyanoramphus malherbi in honor of his late father.

Since their initial discovery, taxonomists recognize Malherbe’s parakeet as one of nine species within the genus Cyanoramphus. This genus contains all of New Zealand’s endemic parakeets. At one point, some experts considered Malherbe’s parakeets a subspecies of the related Yellow-crowned parakeet. However, ornithologists elevated them to full species status in 2021 based on key differences in morphology, habitat preferences, and vocal dialects.

Now firmly established as C. malherbi, these petite parrots stand out as the smallest of all Cyanoramphus parakeets. Measuring just 9 to 10 inches (23 to 26 cm) from the tip of their tails to the tops of their heads, they rank among the tiniest parrots on Earth. Taxonomically speaking, their miniaturized wings and feathered flourishes mark them as distinctively unique in the parakeet clan.

Physical Appearance

One glimpse at a Malherbe’s parakeet and you’ll see why it earned its alternate name: the yellow-crowned parakeet. Both males and females sport brilliant golden yellow plumes on their heads, napes, and breasts. These sunny yellow feathers contrast sharply with the parakeets’ primarily green and olive body plumage.

From beak to tail, Malherbe’s parakeets reach lengths of just 9 to 10 inches (23 to 26 cm). Making them New Zealand’s smallest parakeets. Their wingspans range around 13 inches (33 cm). Weighing a mere 1.5 to 2 ounces (40 to 55 grams), these petite parrots seem delicately built, almost like avian fairies.

Up close, the parakeets display olive green feathers covering their backs, rumps, and most of their wings. However, some feathers show dusky stripes or edges, especially on the napes and wing coverts. The upper tail coverts also sport pale yellow edges. All in all, the yellow, green, and olive hues give Malherbe’s parakeets perfect camouflage amidst the lush native vegetation.

While male and female parakeets appear nearly identical to human eyes, experienced birders can spot some subtle differences. Males’ eye rings and legs tend to be brighter red or orange compared to the paler pink eye rings and grayish legs of females.

Habitat and Distribution

The bright colors and small size of Malherbe’s parakeets reflect their tight bonds with New Zealand’s native forests. Endemic to the islands, these rare parakeets inhabit broadleaf and beech trees across certain valleys and ridges of the South Island.

Historically, Malherbe’s parakeets occupied native forest habitats mainly in the hills and low mountain ranges of south Canterbury and Otago. Their numbers centered on the valleys of the Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers. Total historical territory stretched over around 3,000 square miles (8,000 square km).

However, loss of trees to deforestation allowed their populations to declined severely in the 1900s. Today, just 1,000 to 5,000 individuals cling to existence across fragmented swaths of remaining forest. Reduced to 10% or less of their former habitat range, Malherbe’s parakeets now inhabit small pockets of woods in inland Canterbury and parts of Westland. Core populations occur on Mount Hutt and in Arthur’s Pass National Park.

Within these forests, Malherbe’s parakeets prefer elevations between 1,500 and 4,500 feet (500 and 1500 meters). They nest in the holes and cavities of ancient beech trees. Though small parcels of forest remain, continued restoration and conservation management offer hope for increasing their home ranges.

Diet and Feeding

As small parrots living in New Zealand’s native forests, Malherbe’s parakeets enjoy diets centered on seed pods, fruits, nectar, and occasional insects. Their specialized beaks and herbivorous appetites link them with the woody plants of their home ranges.

Feeding frequently in the forest canopies, Malherbe’s parakeets use their curved beaks and dexterous tongues to extract seeds and nectar from various trees and shrubs. Favorite wild foods include the fruits of the mistletoe Peraxilla tetrapetala as well as the seeds of ribbonwood (Plagianthus regius), fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata), and other native plants.

In addition to fruits and seeds, Malherbe’s parakeets sample many types of flowers for their sweet nectar. Their brush-tipped tongues help them gather nectar while their beaks allow them to access it deep inside tubular flowers. Though less common, they occasionally snack on leaf buds, tree sap, and small insects for extra nutrition.

During the fall and winter months, groups of Malherbe’s parakeets often flock together to feed on preferred seed and fruit sources. But during spring and summer nesting periods, mated pairs break away to create their own territories rich in nourishing flowers and seed pods. Their generalist diets prove well-adapted to New Zealand’s forests…that is, wherever sufficient forest remains.

Breeding and Reproduction

The continuity of rare Malherbe’s parakeets depends on successful breeding seasons each spring and summer. Like other parrots, Malherbe’s parakeets form monogamous breeding pairs that cooperate to raise young.

As warmer weather arrives, mated pairs break away from feeding flocks to establish nesting territories. Relying on old-growth trees, they seek out cavities and hollows in large beech and podocarp trees. Competition for prime nesting hollows remains high, though, when tree availability is low.

Once choosing a suitable hollow, approximately 3 to 5 white eggs get laid over several days. The female takes on main incubation duties, keeping the eggs warm for about 22 to 24 days before hatching. Newly hatched chicks weigh barely a 1⁄2 ounce (15 grams) but grow quickly thanks to devoted feedings by both parents.

Young parakeets develop swiftly as parents supply them with nutritious seeds, fruits, and flowers. After 8 to 9 weeks, the juvenile birds gain independence and leave the nest hollow. However, parents may continue occasional feeding support for another month or two as the fledglings hone their foraging abilities. This assistance helps counteract the nearly 50% mortality rate for young birds in their first year.

By year two, juvenile Malherbe’s parakeets reach sexual maturity. Their best chances for passing on their genes require finding vacant territories with sufficient food resources and suitable nesting trees. Successful breeding efforts directly support population stability for the species.

Behavior and Ecology

The bright green forests of New Zealand set the stage for daily dramas in the lives of endemic Malherbe’s parakeets. Weighing behaviors that balance feeding, breeding, and anti-predator defenses, these small parrots carry out intricate roles within their threatened ecosystems.

Living in small flocks, Malherbe’s parakeets maintain complex social connections. Each flock consists of mated pairs alongside some juvenile and lone birds. Daily patterns shift seasonally based on breeding cycles and food supplies. During winter, flocks congregate around abundant seed and fruit sources. But in spring, most breeding pairs withdraw to isolated nesting areas.

Groups communicate constantly through a repertoire of squawks, chirps, whistles and chatter. Regional dialects even arise amongst separate flocks. Sharp calls signal alerts whenever potential threats appear in their forest canopy or subcanopy habitats. Having lost the ability for sustained flight, Malherbe’s parakeets rely on stealth and their camouflage-like plumage to evade danger.

Documented to live up to 5 years in the wild, Malherbe’s parakeets fill essential roles as seed dispersers and pollinators for native trees and flowers. Their small size and specialized beaks equip them to utilize food niches unavailable to larger bird generalists. But such specialization also increases their vulnerability whenever forests shrink or become fragmented.

Conservation Status

Unfortunately for New Zealand’s tiniest parakeets, Malherbe’s parakeets fly toward extinction unless aggressive conservation efforts take wing. Habitat loss and competition from invasive species have these birds singing the blues.

As native forest habitats declined over the past century, so too did Malherbe’s parakeet numbers. Early European settlers cleared huge swaths of valley forests for timber and agriculture. Later, invasive mammals like stoats and rats squeezed nesting parakeets from remaining woodlands.

Classified as a threatened species since 2012, Malherbe’s parakeets now number just 1000 to 5000 individuals across fragmented habitat islands. Reduced to 10% or less of their original range, populations bottleneck in geographical isolation. Low genetic diversity further jeopardizes resilience.

In response, New Zealand initiated habitat management plans that protect standout locations like Mount Hutt and Avoca Valley. Bolstered legal protections also help, including bans on capturing, disturbing or destroying the parakeets. Captive breeding presents another option, but difficulties exist in sustaining captive flocks.

Meanwhile, stoat traps and rat poison assist ecological restoration around nesting areas. Ambitious predators control seeks to create mainland “arks” spanning over 25,000 acres (10,000 hectares). Proponents argue that only through integrating conservation efforts across entire ecosystems can Malherbe’s parakeets recover lost ground.

Conclusion

The stunning yet endangered Malherbe’s parakeet stands as one of New Zealand’s most captivating endemic bird species. With vibrant yellow heads topping olive plumage, these petite parrots flutter through the remaining broadleaf and beech forests they call home. Just 9 to 10 inches (23 to 26 cm) long, they rank among Earth’s smallest parrot species.

But as human activities continue eroding their specialized forest niche, the outlook remains challenging for Malherbe’s parakeets. With just 1000 to 5000 left across fragmented habitat, they require immediate conservation intervention to recover their numbers. Hampered by small gene pools and reproductive rates, every surviving individual matters for this species’ survival.

Still, habitat protection initiatives across New Zealand offer hope if expanded and sustained. Mainland “predator-free arks” could one day stretch over 10,000 hectares or more. Meanwhile, public education and captive breeding programs keep conservation needs front and center. The winsome wings and golden-olive plumage of Malherbe’s parakeets seem too special to lose from New Zealand’s ecological tapestry.

So next time your travels take you traipsing through the lush beech forests inland of Canterbury or Otago, listen and watch carefully for charming flocks of these tiny endemic parakeets. Their cheery chatter and acrobatics through the canopy always impress. But also consider that these sightings grow increasingly rare off the beaten track. With enough care for their remaining sanctuaries, though, Malherbe’s parakeets should keep New Zealand’s forests vibrant for generations to come.

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Reischek’s Parakeets stand out with their bold red foreheads and crowns contrasting sharply with green wings and back feathers. Their scientific name is Cyanoramphus hochstetteri. These rare parakeets inhabit the scrublands and forests on the Antipodes and Auckland Islands, located about 290 miles (467 km) south and 202 miles (325 km) south of New Zealand respectively.

Reischek’s Parakeets grow to about 11-12 inches (28-30 cm) in length. They use their distinctive short, deep bills to crack open fruit and extract seeds. You may spot them gathering in noisy flocks that chatter excitedly as they feed.

Unfortunately, Reischek’s Parakeets face threats from habitat loss and predators like rats and feral cats that have been introduced to their island homes. However, conservation efforts are underway to protect these rare New Zealand natives.

In this article, you’ll learn all about the appearance, habitat, behavior, breeding habits, and conservation status of the fascinating Reischek’s Parakeet. We’ll uncover why they have such cultural significance to New Zealanders and what’s being done to ensure their survival. Let’s dive in!

History and Taxonomy

Reischek’s Parakeet has a unique taxonomic history that has only recently been sorted out. These colorful island parakeets were one of the many parrot species originally described by the famous ornithologist Walter Buller in his monumental 1887-1888 book “A History of the Birds of New Zealand”. Buller named the parakeet Cyanoramphus hochstetteri in honor of the Austrian geologist and explorer Ferdinand von Hochstetter.

For over a century afterwards though, taxonomists considered Reischek’s Parakeet to be a subspecies of the more widespread Red-crowned Parakeet that inhabits forests on mainland New Zealand and nearby offshore islands. The credited collector of the first Reischek Parakeet specimens was Andreas Reischek, a sailor and naturalist who was hired to collect specimens on an 1885 scientific expedition to islands off the coast of New Zealand.

It wasn’t until 2021 that modern genetic, morphological, and vocalization analyses finally provided convincing evidence that Reischek’s Parakeet was different enough to be classified as its own distinct species separate from other parakeets. As a result, Reischek’s Parakeet was officially reclassified as Cyanoramphus hochstetteri based on key differences from its mainland relatives:

• Smaller size, only reaching lengths of 11-12 inches (28-30 cm) compared to 13-14 inches (33-36 cm) for Red-crowned Parakeets
• Bright red forehead and crown feathers
• Stockier bill shape
• Unique vocal repertoire of screeching and chattering calls

So while Reischek’s Parakeet remained hidden in plain sight for over 130 years as a subspecies, this rare antipodean parrot can finally stake its claim as a valid endemic species found only on remote islands hundreds of miles off the coast of New Zealand!

Physical Appearance

The most striking feature of Reischek’s Parakeet is its bright red forehead and crown which contrasts vividly with its primarily green and yellow body plumage. These colorful parakeets reach a length of approximately 11-12 inches (28-30 cm) from the tip of the tail to the end of the bill.

The forehead, crown, and nape are a deep orange-red color while the cheeks, throat, and breast are all yellow. The upperparts including the back, wings, rump, and upper tail are generally olive-green. The tail feathers are a blue-green tipping to yellow at the base. The eyes are surrounded by distinctive white or pale yellow eye-rings and the short stocky bill is a grayish color.

Reischek’s Parakeets do not exhibit any sexual dimorphism which means that males and females look identical. Juveniles however can be distinguished from adult birds for up to a year by their duller green plumage lacking the bright red crown as well as their dark grey eye rings and cere.

Field researchers utilize unique color band combinations placed around the legs of Reischek’s Parakeets to identify individuals for monitoring. When seen up close, the subtle barring pattern on the underside of the tail feathers can also be used to distinguish individual birds.

So with its bright crimson colored crown, green wings and back, white eye-rings, and yellow underparts, an unmistakable Reischek’s Parakeet really stands out against the dense green forests it calls home on remote islands hundreds of miles off New Zealand’s shores!

Habitat and Distribution

Reischek’s Parakeets are endemic to remote islands located hundreds of miles off the coast of New Zealand’s South Island in the subantarctic regions of the south Pacific Ocean. Specifically, they are found on the Antipodes Island group as well as the main Auckland Island.

The Antipodes Islands are a collection of small uninhabited islands located about 490 km (304 miles) southeast of New Zealand’s South Island. Meanwhile, Auckland Island itself lies around 465 km (289 miles) south of the mainland. Together these islands have a cool oceanic climate with average summer temperatures around 50°F (10°C) and frequent rain and storms year-round.

On these rugged islands, Reischek’s Parakeets predominantly inhabit broadleaf and mixed forests dominated by species like Antipodes Island Tree Daisy, Antarctic Beech, and Hooker’s Sedge. The parakeets are also common along forest margins bordering scrublands and tussock grasslands.

Researchers estimate the total population to number between 1,000 – 5,000 remaining individuals restricted to their limited island habitats located hundreds of miles from mainland New Zealand. Following successful releases, there are also recently reintroduced populations that have become established on smaller predator-free islands within their former range.

So while humans live in isolation on these remote islands, the rare Reischek’s Parakeets call their temperate forests and scrublands home, having evolved for centuries in this unique island ecosystem.

Diet and Feeding

Reischek’s Parakeets are primarily herbivorous, feeding on a variety of seeds, nectar, fruits, flowers, and buds from native trees and plants. Their short but strong bill allows them to crack into fruits and extract seeds with ease.

Some of the main food sources include the fruits of the Island Tree Daisy, seeds of the Hooker’s Sedge, nectar from flowers like the Auckland Island Daisy, and buds from trees and shrubs like Dracophyllum and Hebe. Additionally, the parakeets will occasionally sample seaweed, herbs, and grasses.

The parakeets forage for food both up in the high canopy as well as lower down closer to the forest floor and scrubland. You can often observe them in small, noisy flocks of around 20-30 birds that excitedly call to each other as they feed. Flocks may also mix with other bird species like the Red-crowned Parakeet, New Zealand Bellbird, and Tui while moving between forest patches.

By dispersing seeds and pollinating flowers of native plants, Reischek’s Parakeets provide vital ecosystem services that help maintain the unique forests they inhabit. Their rediscovered mutual relationship with the carnivorous Auckland Island Pigmyweed is a prime example: the plant provides safe nesting sites for breeding parakeets who in turn fertilize the plant with their nutrient-rich droppings.

So while feasting on berries up high or foraging through low scrub, these colorful island parakeets continue benefitting their limited island ecosystems, much as they have for hundreds of years.

Breeding and Reproduction

Reischek’s Parakeets form monogamous breeding pairs that mate for life. The breeding season generally occurs between November to January. Though research is still ongoing, current data suggests the average lifespan ranges between 15-20 years for these parakeets.

During courtship, breeding pairs engage in mutual preening of their plumage and often present each other with food gifts. Once bonded, the pair collaborates to select a suitable nesting cavity high up in the hollow of an aged tree trunk or large branch. Cavity competition is fierce though and pairs may reuse the same site for consecutive years.

Females typically lay clutches of 4-8 small white eggs within these natural hollows. She will then incubate the eggs alone for 21-24 days before they hatch. The male aids by standing guard and bringing food back to the female while she incubates.

Once all the chicks hatch, both parents share feeding and brooding duties for several weeks. The semi-altricial chicks fledge at around 42 days old but continue to be fed and taught to forage by their parents for some time after leaving the nest. Juveniles wont develop their mature bright red crown plumage until their second year.

With dedicated long-term pair bonds and shared parenting, these colorful parakeets ensure their chicks survive to fledge on their remote island homes off New Zealand.

Behavior and Ecology

Reischek’s Parakeets are highly social and noisy birds that travel in flocks of varying sizes throughout the year when not breeding. Groups can contain anywhere from a few individuals up to several dozen birds foraging and roosting together.

You’ll often hear their chatter and high-pitched screeching long before you see one as flocks excitedly call back and forth to each other. The parakeets make use of a wide variety of different contact calls including loud kee-arr screeches to coordinate flock movements and feeding activities.

Though generally gregarious, breeding pairs do exhibit some territorial behavior, defending potential nesting cavities against other birds in the late winter and early spring. Competition for suitable hollows in old growth trees can be fierce on their native islands.

As cavity nesters, the availability of appropriate nesting sites inside large tree trunks and branches limits their local abundance. Breeding densities vary on different islands based on the stage of forest succession and density of aged trees. Ongoing habitat restoration that preserves old growth trees boosts populations over the long term.

Additionally, pairs appear to have a mutualistic nesting relationship with the carnivorous Pigmyweed plant which provides a safe refuge from predators. In return, the bird’s nutrient rich droppings fertilize the plant. Such unique symbioses underscore the interconnectedness of these remote island habitats.

So whether feeding in noisy flocks or rearing chicks in forest hollows, Reischek’s Parakeets play a key ecological role in their island ecosystem that balances their limited numbers.

Conservation Status

Reischek’s Parakeet is currently classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List with a small and declining population numbering between 1,000 – 5,000 individuals. Endemic to remote islands hundreds of miles off New Zealand’s coast, their limited range and small population size makes them vulnerable.

Over the last fifty years, the introduction of invasive mammalian predators like rats, cats, and pigs has threatened their survival in native habitats on Antipodes and Auckland Islands. These predators raid nests, killing adults, eggs, and fledglings while also degrading native forest habitats.

In addition, competition for nesting cavities with other bird species combined with habitat degradation from introduced herbivores has reduced available breeding sites. Ongoing monitoring indicates population declines since the 1970s, especially on Auckland Island.

However in recent years, the New Zealand Department of Conservation has taken steps to actively restore island habitats by eradicating invasive predators. Several small offshore islands have now been cleared allowing the successful reintroduction of Reischek’s Parakeets. Establishing new robust populations beyond their current range offers added insurance if disaster ever struck their existing island strongholds.

While still endangered with an uncertain future, active habitat management and the growing success of reintroduction programs provide increased hope that these beautiful parakeets will continue gracing New Zealand’s remote southern islands for years to come.

Cultural Significance

As an endemic species found only on remote southern islands hundreds of miles from mainland New Zealand, Reischek’s Parakeet holds a special place in New Zealand’s natural and cultural heritage.

Its status as a unique parakeet species was recognized in 1987 when the bright red-headed bird was featured on a New Zealand postage stamp along with other native parrots. This celebrated New Zealand’s rare parrot diversity that evolved over millions of years in isolation across scattered southern islands.

Today, ornithologists and birdwatchers from New Zealand make pilgrimages just to catch a glimpse of Reischek’s Parakeet in its remote island homes in the stormy southern oceans. Spotting a flash of crimson crown feathers or hearing its screeching cries provides a tangible connection to wild areas that few Kiwis will ever visit.

More significantly, successful habitat restoration programs reintroducing populations on predator-free islands off Auckland and Antipodes have renewed hope that these rare birds can thrive once more beyond just forest remnants on their original island refuges.

Such reintroduction efforts remind New Zealanders that despite past exploitation, there exist pathways for humans and nature to coexistence sustainably. In this way, the unique Reischek’s Parakeet can help inspire continued conservation of New Zealand’s precious natural heritage that has captivated people’s imagination for generations.

Conclusion

The rare and colorful Reischek’s Parakeet stands out for more than just its bright red crown and green plumage. As an endemic species found only deep in the remote forests of New Zealand’s subantarctic islands, it serves as an important reminder of the precious but fragile native biodiversity that evolved in isolation across these southern archipelagos.

With a global population likely numbering less than 5,000 individuals concentrated densely on just a few islands, they remain an endangered species facing an uncertain future. Habitat degradation from invasive mammals along with competition for nesting sites from other birds threatens their long term survival.

Yet despite these challenges, the success of recent predator eradication and habitat restoration programs offers real hope of a way forward. The populations reestablished on smaller predator-free islands provide insurance populations and may one day offer sources for repopulating their former range.

So while humanity has often been a destructive influence on nature, the story of Reischek’s Parakeet shows pathways yet exist for peaceful coexistence if we have the wisdom to walk them. This rare parakeet can inspire continuing conservation not just of New Zealand’s natural heritage, but of our shared global inheritance for generations to come.

The post Reischek’s Parakeet (Cyanoramphus hochstetteri) appeared first on Avian HQ.

The Forbes’ Parakeet (Cyanoramphus forbesi) is medium-sized parrot that grows to about 9 inches (23 cm) long. Its feathers are mostly bright green, with a blue patch on the wings. But its most striking feature is the adult male’s bright orange face and forehead.

“The male’s orange face seems to glow like a sunrise against the green plumage.”

The species was named after the British ornithologist Henry Ogg Forbes who discovered it in the 1800s. Tragically, these little parakeets came close to vanishing forever over the past century. Predators, habitat loss, and competition from invasive species nearly wiped them out. By 1970, only about 50 Forbes’ Parakeets remained in the wild.

Conservationists jumped into action to try and bring the species back from the brink. Through captive breeding and release programs, the Forbes’ Parakeet population has rebounded to over 200 birds today. But they still remain critically endangered.

You’ll learn more about what makes this parakeet so special and why protecting rare birds like it matters. This comprehensive guide will cover everything from the Forbes’ Parakeet’s evolutionary past, physical appearance, habitats, behaviors, and current conservation efforts. Let’s get started!

History and Taxonomy

The Forbes’ Parakeet has a relatively short scientific history compared to some other parrot species. Most parrots were described back in the 1700s and 1800s when early naturalists first encountered them.

Henry Ogg Forbes first scientifically documented the Forbes’ Parakeet in 1882 during his ornithological expeditions around New Zealand’s remote offshore islands. He named the new parakeet species Cyanoramphus auriceps forbesi in honor of his father.

Since then, there have been some minor taxonomic changes:

• 1921: The species was reclassified as a subspecies called Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae forbesi.
• 1987: Elevated back to full species status as Cyanoramphus forbesi.

So Forbes’ initial designation of the orange-fronted parakeet stands today as the distinct Forbes’ Parakeet species. Its closest genetic relative is actually the larger Red-crowned Parakeet of mainland New Zealand.

Physical Appearance

The Forbes’ Parakeet is a colorful medium-sized parrot measuring about 9 inches (23 cm) from head to tail.

Size and Proportions

• Length: 9 inches (23 cm)
• Wingspan: 13 inches (33 cm)
• Weight: 1.5-2 ounces (40-55 grams)

The body shape is typical of parakeets with a stocky body, short tail, bent peak-shaped bill, and long pointed wings.

Plumage

• Mostly bright green feathers on the back, wings, tail, thighs, and undersides
• Blue patches on the leading edges of the wings
• Distinctive bright orange-red band across the forecrown and above the beak (restricted to adult males)
• Females have green where males have orange facial feathers
• Fledglings have dark beaks that turn orange when mature

The green and blue shades vary from dull to bright among individuals. The male’s striking “fire crown” makes the Forbes’ Parakeet one of the most colorful parakeets.

Legs and Feet

Like all parrots, the Forbes’ Parakeet has zygodactyl feet – two toes face forward and two face backwards for superior perching grip. Their feet and grey-black legs are about 1 inch long.

Differences Between Males and Females

• Males have bright orange feathers on the forehead, face, and above the beak
• Females lack orange feathers, retaining green feathers instead like the body
• Females may have slightly less vibrant green and blue shades

So the male’s distinct orange facial profile makes sexing Forbes’ Parakeets quite easy.

Habitat and Distribution

The Forbes’ Parakeet is endemic to New Zealand’s remote Chatham Islands archipelago located about 500 miles east of the mainland. Specifically, it inhabits Mangere and Rangatira Islands which have a combined land area of only about 12 square miles.

Native Range

• Restricted to forest and scrubland habitats on Mangere and Rangatira Islands
• Also formerly found on nearby Pitt Island before extinction there
• Total world population confined to the tiny Chatham Islands

Geographic Isolation

Long geographic isolation allowed the Forbes’ Parakeet to evolve differently from mainland New Zealand parakeets. Today it persists in the island refuge that once nearly became its prison.

The Chatham Islands host a range of habitat zones that the parakeets occupy:

• coastal forest
• scrubland
• swamps
• plantations

However, they seem to prefer areas with mature trees for nesting and feeding. Protecting these forest ecosystems is crucial to preserving the last wild populations.

Introduced Foreign Populations

Thanks to conservation efforts in recent decades, the parakeets now inhabit additional nature reserves outside their native islands including:

• Motuora Island
• Long Island Nature Reserve
• Wellington Zoo sanctuary

These new sanctuary locations help buffer the Forbes’ Parakeet from unexpected disaster on its only natural home in the Chathams.

Diet and Feeding

The Forbes’ Parakeet enjoys a diverse herbivorous diet consisting of seeds, fruits, berries, blossoms, and vegetation procured across its forest and scrubland habitats.

Primary Foods

• Seeds and nuts from trees and shrubs
• Fruits like tawa, karaka, kotukutuku
• Nectar and pollen from flowers
• Leaf buds, bark, and other plant matter

Their strong curved beaks allow them to crack into seeds and nuts. A muscular tongue helps manipulate food inside the mouth.

Feeding Patterns

The parakeets feed opportunistically on seasonal foods:

• Autumn and winter – more seeds and nuts
• Spring and summer – more fruits and flowers

They typically feed in the high forest canopy but will come to lower levels as needed. Forbes’ Parakeets appear somewhat less social than some related species while foraging.

Daily Intake

On average, the wild parakeets eat about 1-2 ounces (30-60 grams) of food a day. That’s equivalent to roughly 5-10% of their total body weight. Captive parakeets fed high quality diets only need about half as much daily.

Providing the right balance of seed and produce helps maintain healthy Forbes’ Parakeet populations. Provisioning food sources has boosted recovery efforts when wild supplies are scarce.

Breeding and Reproduction

The breeding season for Forbes’ Parakeets runs from November through February yearly. During this time they form monogamous breeding pairs and prepare nests.

Age of Sexual Maturity

• Reach maturity for mating at 18 months old
• May start attempting to breed as early as 6 months old
• Normally first breed at 2 to 5 years old

Breeding Season

• Late spring to summer (November – February)
• Nest building starts in November
• Egg laying peak is December/January

Nest Sites

The parakeets nest high in the forest canopy or scrublands. Favorite nest locations include:

• Tree hollows and cavities
• Crevices in trunks or branches
• Old stick nests built by other birds

Both the male and female contribute to nest preparation with the female doing most of the incubating duty.

Number of Eggs

• 4-6 white eggs per clutch
• Up to 8 eggs rarely documented
• Replacement clutches possible if first fails

The future of the Forbes’ Parakeet depends on successful reproduction each season. Helping provide suitable nesting resources can give a boost to wild numbers.

Behavior and Ecology

The Forbes’ Parakeet exhibits some typical parrot behaviors but also shows some unique adaptations to its island environment. Understanding how they interact and respond provides insights into supporting the remaining populations.

Daily and Seasonal Cycles

• Most active in early mornings and late afternoons
• Short bursts of activity spaced by resting periods
• Increased vocalizations and activity just before breeding season
• Travel greater distances when food becomes scarcer

Vocalizations

Their frequent high-pitched calls pierce the forest canopy. Some common vocalizations include:

• Rapid chatters when interacting in groups
• Loud contact calls between mates
• Begging calls from younger birds

Social Structure

Unlike other parakeet species that travel in large flocks, the Forbes’ Parakeet is somewhat asocial by comparison. Small groups of a dozen or less birds associate for feeding and breeding activities.

Interactions with Other Species

• Competition for food and nesting with calls ducks
• Attacked by harriers if caught out in open areas
• Target of bullies mela by introduced species

Understanding species interactions helps promote habitats where endemic birds get priority over invasives. Safeguarding fragile island ecosystems can prevent extinctions.

Conservation Status

The Forbes’ Parakeet has teetered dangerously close to extinction over the past century. Its populations crashed from over 1,200 birds in 1920 down to only 50 individuals by 1970 from habitat loss and invasive predators. Intensive recent conservation efforts have helped the species begin to recover, but its outlook remains precarious.

Formal Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Endangered
• New Zealand: Nationally Critical

Both assessments indicate dangerously low population sizes putting the Forbes’ Parakeet at risk of extinction.

Population Size and Trends

• 1920s population estimated over 1,200 birds
• Declined to only 50 birds by 1970
• Current total wild population is 200-300
• Captive reserve populations number over 150

Threats

• Habitat destruction from deforestation and farming
• Predation from invasive species like rats and cats
• Competition for resources from other birds
• Stochastic disasters like storms or disease

Conservation Efforts

• Legal protected status since 1891
• Predator control and habitat restoration
• Captive breeding and release programs
• Supplementary feeding when wild foods are scarce

Vigilant ongoing conservation management gives the Forbes’ Parakeet hope. But until it reaches larger sustainable numbers, its future hangs by the slimmest of threads.

Cultural Significance

The Forbes’ Parakeet has limited cultural significance due to its remote island location and small population size. But it has become an icon for New Zealand conservation and ecosystem preservation.

Indigenous Notability

There is no evidence the small endemic bird played any role in the traditional culture of the Chatham Island Moriori or mainland Maori people. Any past cultural associations were likely lost when invasive species decimated the parakeet population.

Art and Media Representation

More recently, the striking orange and green Forbes’ Parakeet has been depicted in artwork and featured in some children’s books about New Zealand’s rare birds. As public knowledge grows, so too have artistic tributes to this species on the brink.

Tourism Appeal

Ecotourism charters now offer rare birdwatching excursions to see the Forbes’ Parakeet and other Chatham Island endemics in their natural habitat. Strict access controls prevent disturbance to these sensitive sites.

Symbol of Conservation

Back from just 50 birds remaining in 1970, the Forbes’ Parakeet epitomizes successful species recovery via intensive management. It reminds us that even when critically endangered, there still can be hope through tireless dedication.

Conclusion

The rare and beautiful Forbes’ Parakeet remains one of New Zealand’s most threatened endemic bird species. We came heartbreakingly close to losing its bright plumes and cheery calls forever.

Thanks to Herculean conservation efforts over the past 50 years, the beloved Forbes’ Parakeet was snatched back from the brink at the 11th hour. The population now numbers some 200 individuals in the wild and 150 birds in captive backup colonies.

Yet the species still balances precariously on the knife’s edge of extinction. One severe storm, the introduction of a new predator, or outbreak of disease could rapidly undo decades of work. Continued habitat restoration and management remain essential to hopes of rereleasing captive parakeets back to an environment where they can thrive.

The Forbes’ Parakeet is a poignant reminder of the fragility of island ecosystems. This small parrot warns us of the conservation challenges ahead as climate change and other threats put increasing pressure on endangered species worldwide. But it also symbolizes that diligent environmental stewardship can achieve remarkable rehabilitation results.

This guide covered the Forbes’ Parakeet’s identifying features, habitats, behaviors, threats, and the ongoing efforts to preserve it. We all have a responsibility now to ensure this rare endemic bird regains a secure foothold for generations to come. Support critical habitat conservation projects across the globe, be an ethical ecotourist, and spread awareness about how fragile biodiversity can rebound if given the chance.

The fiery orange crown of the Forbes’ Parakeet must never fade from New Zealand’s forests. This tenacious bird demonstrates that where there is sufficient passion and dedication, we can reverse environmental degradation, halt extinctions, and allow life to flourish again.

The post Forbes’ Parakeet (Cyanoramphus forbesi) appeared first on Avian HQ.

Measuring about 12 inches (30 cm) long, this parakeet stands out with its verdant green plumage accented with vibrant red and blue markings around its head and wings. It feeds mostly on seeds and fruit, using its curved grey beak to crack open tough morsels. This small parrot is quite social, gathering in flocks that wheel and glide swiftly between the island’s scrubs and trees.

“The sight of a flock of Macquarie Parakeets, with their bright red heads illuminated by the evening light, is an unforgettable experience,” says a local conservationist.

Unfortunately, the Macquarie Parakeet is Critically Endangered, with recent surveys finding less than 50 remaining in the wild. Much of its tussock grassland habitat has been lost to climate change, and invasive predators like rats and cats threaten its existence. Urgent conservation action is needed to ensure this island jewel does not blink out forever.

As an endemic species found nowhere else on Earth, the parakeet has also become a cultural icon for the island. It features prominently on local postage stamps and in logos for Macquarie Island conservation groups. But will future generations still be able to see this rare parrot in the wild? Read on to learn more about this fascinating and imperiled species.

History and Taxonomy

The Macquarie Parakeet entered the scientific literature in 1845 when it was first described by the French naturalist René Primevère Lesson, who named it Platycercus erythrotis. He placed it in the genus Platycercus along with many other Australian and Tasmania parakeets known at the time. The name erythrotis refers to the distinctive red patch (“erythros”) around its ears (“otis” meaning ear).

For over 50 years it kept this scientific name until 1897 when the English zoologist Walter Rothschild reclassified it into the genus Cyanoramphus, where it still sits today. This genus consists of all the New Zealand and Antarctic parakeets. However, some disagreement continued over whether the Macquarie Parakeet was its own unique species or a subspecies of the similar looking Red-crowned Parakeet (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae) found in New Zealand.

In 2000, after analyzing blood samples from both birds, scientists confirmed that the genetics of the Macquarie Parakeet were distinct enough to consider it as its own separate species, Cyanoramphus erythrotis. So after 155 years, the taxonomy of this beautiful little parrot finally became settled. Today, the Macquarie Parakeet remains the only endemic parrot on Macquarie Island.

Physical Appearance

The Macquarie Parakeet is a colorful, medium-sized parrot measuring about 12 inches (30 cm) from the tip of its tail to the end of its beak. Its main body feathers are a bright grassy green, while the forehead and the region around the eyes (lores) is a vivid cherry red. Extending around the back of its neck is a broad yellow and red band.

The outer wings have deep blue feathers, also seen on the tail. The tail is fairly long for a parakeet at 5-6 inches (13-15 cm). Legs and feet are grey in color. The curved beak is also grey, suited for cracking open seeds and nuts.

Females tend to have slightly less red coloring on the forehead and around the eyes compared to males. Juveniles similarly have less vibrant forehead coloring, with more olive-green feathers around the neck. But in general, the red band around the back of the neck is still visible even in younger birds.

No other bird on Macquarie Island can be confused with the parakeet. Its unique green and red plumage set it apart. When seen up close, the coloring is iridescent with a jewel-like brilliance that sparkles in the island sunlight. The only similar looking bird is the Red-crowned Parakeet of New Zealand which shares the colorful red and green pattern but lacks the distinctive yellow and red neck band.

Habitat and Distribution

The Macquarie Parakeet is endemic to Macquarie Island, a small island located about 900 miles (1,500 km) southeast of New Zealand’s South Island. Macquarie is roughly 34 miles (55 km) long and 5 miles (8 km) wide, covering an area of about 50 square miles (130 sq km). It lies close to the Antarctic convergence where cold polar waters meet the warmer waters of the Pacific, resulting in frequent storms and cloud cover.

The parakeet inhabits the grassy tussock and scrub habitat that covers the middle elevations of Macquarie Island, typically between 100-900 feet (30-300 m). This vegetation consists mostly of tussock grasses, mega herbs, and small woody shrubs. It provides ample food as well as nesting sites in hollows and burrows for the parakeet.

Higher rocky ridges and cliff faces are generally too wind-swept for the parakeet while dense stands of “fellfield” and boggy peat make movement difficult lower down near sea level. So the mid-level grass, herb fields, and scrublands provide the prime real estate.

Because Macquarie Island is the only home of the parakeet, its entire world distribution occurs on this single remote island, half way between New Zealand and Antarctica. Fortunately most of the land area has protected conservation status, but introduced threats in recent decades have brought the parakeet perilously close to extinction.

Diet and Feeding

The Macquarie Parakeet is mainly herbivorous, feeding on a variety of seeds, fruits, flowers, leaves, twigs and some insects. Its strong grey beak allows it to crack open even tough seeds and nuts.

Some of the main plant food sources include the fruits and seeds of the Macquarie Island cabbage (Stilbocarpa polaris), Kerguelen cabbage (Pringlea antiscorbutica), and native Hawthorn (Coprosma). It also feeds readily on introduced grasses and herbs like Poa tussocks, sheep’s sorrel, and procumbent pearlwort. Coastal tussock grasslands grazed by rabbits tend to provide good foraging areas.

The parakeet employs a variety of feeding behaviors suited to different food sources. It may perch on cabbage plants to carefully pick off fruit or use its foot to hold a stem while eating leaves or seeds. Strong claws allow it to hang upside down while feeding. For foods like grass seeds, the parakeet forages on the ground, sometimes digging with its beak. It also climbs shrubs and small trees searching for food.

Parakeets have been observed feeding in the company of other bird species including Brown Skuas, Red-billed Gulls, and Song Thrushes. These mixed species foraging flocks may benefit from extra vigilance against potential predators.

At certain times of year, Macquarie Parakeets may also cause crop damage, feeding on cereal grains and fruits in gardens and orchards near the island’s research station. But while pesky at times, their delightful charm and colorful plumage tend to offset any annoyance.

Breeding and Reproduction

The Macquarie Parakeet breeds during the island’s summer between September and January. The species is monogamous, pairs forming strong bonds that may persist for years. Both sexes share in defending their territory, nest building, incubating eggs, and caring for hatchlings.

Nests consist of a chamber lined with wood chips, twigs and feathers, positioned at the end of hollow logs, inside the stumps of dead shrubs, or in burrows dug into peat soil. Pairs may even nest in artificial sites like fence posts. Nest hollows are usually located 3-13 feet (1-4 m) above ground level.

Females normally lay between 3-4 eggs which are incubated for 21-22 days. The eggs are small, measuring roughly 1 inch (24 mm) long, and plain white without markings. Once hatched, both parents feed the chicks by regurgitating food into their mouths. Chicks will fledge at around 6 weeks, but may continue to be fed by the parents for several more weeks as they perfect their flying and foraging skills.

Based on observations of color-banded birds, the Macquarie Parakeet is thought to live up to 10 years in the wild. The annual breeding success though varies greatly, plummeting in years when invasive rats proliferate across the island. With so few birds left now in the modern age, a string of bad breeding years could doom this species.

Behavior and Ecology

The Macquarie Parakeet exhibits a mix of solitary and gregarious behavior depending on the season. During the breeding months when pairs occupy nesting territories, they become quite territorial and aggressive towards intruders. Their sharp repetitious squawking call, sounding like “kek-kek-kek”, carries some distance.

But outside the spring and summer breeding season, parakeets may gather in flocks of up to 20 individuals, especially where good feeding areas allow them to congregate. These flocks show complex social dynamics as the brightly colored birds interact, calling to each other while feeding, preening, squabbling or perched in rest.

Though not a strong flier for covering great distances, the parakeet is very agile in the air over shorter hops between herb fields, shrubs and small trees. Its swift undulating flight and long tail give it good aerial maneuverability. It tends to fly fairly low, just clearing the tussocks and scrub.

On the ground, Macquarie Parakeets walk or run with a comical swagger, bobbing their heads as they travel. Strong feet and legs allow them to readily climb branches and stems in search of food. They groom themselves frequently, using the beak and claws to adjust feathers or scratch hard to reach places. Dust baths maintain healthy plumage.

Roosting overnight likely takes place communally inside dense shrubs or small caves that provide shelter from the frequent storms and wind. Like many parrots they are unable to easily walk backwards, but can fully rotate their heads around to visually scan for threats in all directions. Their Average lifespan is up to 10 years.

Conservation Status

The Macquarie Parakeet is currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This is the highest threat category before extinction.

The total population was estimated in 2016 to number less than 50 mature individuals and continues to decline. The species already went through an extreme population bottleneck in the 1980s when the population may have been reduced to less than 20 birds at one point.

Major threats to its survival include loss of habitat due to climate change, predation from invasive mammal species, and its extremely small population size making it prone to extinction from random events.

The tussock grasslands and scrub habitat the parakeet depends on is getting degraded as the climate warms and aridifies, causing the vegetation to transition to shorter “fellfield” cover. This reduces food availability and nesting sites. Parakeet territory size may expand as habitat quality declines.

Predation from rats, feral cats, and possums also take a toll on eggs, chicks, and adult birds. These invasive mammals were introduced to Macquarie Island last century and have no native predators helping to control their numbers. Poison baiting and other control efforts have so far failed to eradicate them.

With such a tiny remnant population, the Macquarie Parakeet could blink out from a run of bad luck – severe storms, disease, poor breeding years, or inbreeding depression. Without an infusion of new birds, its genetic diversity is very limited. A captive breeding program began in 2018 to safeguard the species, but reintroduction back to the wild remains a challenge.

Thus the survival prognosis for the parakeet in its natural habitat remains tenuous at best. Unless the introduced mammalian predators can be eliminated and habitat restored, the endemic jewel of Macquarie Island remains on the knife’s edge of extinction.

Cultural Significance

As the only endemic parrot on Macquarie Island, the colorful parakeet has come to symbolize the unique wildlife of this remote and windswept land. It features prominently as a cultural icon, appearing on postage stamps, coins, logos of local conservation groups, artwork, and handicraft souvenirs.

The parakeet’s image graces at least five commemorative postage stamps issued from Macquarie Island since the 1990s. Coins minted for collecting often depict the parakeet against a backdrop of the island’s rocky peaks. Birdlife International’s Macquarie Island Branch uses the stylized parakeet as its emblem.

Bright photos and paintings of the crimson-headed birds now grace conservation websites, ecotourism brochures, scientific reports, and school project displays. Handicrafters incorporate parakeet feathers and imagery into jewelry, clothing, and quilts sold locally. A favorite children’s book called “Major Mitchell’s Parakeet” tells a fictional story of the bird’s discovery.

As a flagship species that is extremely rare and found nowhere else, the parakeet has become interwoven into the cultural tapestry of Macquarie Island. Its extinction would create a painful absence, not just environmentally but socially and psychologically. It remains a visible symbol giving hope during difficult battles against invasive species and climate change.

Perhaps in time, with proper conservation management, visitors will once again commonly see flocks of emerald green parakeets chattering amongst the tussocks. For now though, they cling precariously onto a likely doomed future unless we step up our environmental commitment to this extraordinary island and its unique birds.

Conclusion

The Macquarie Parakeet remains an endemic jewel confined solely to the remote and windswept Macquarie Island halfway between New Zealand and Antarctica. With its bright red forehead, green feathers, blue wings, and yellow-red collar, it stands out as a uniquely colorful and playful member of the island’s avifauna.

Yet sadly, this parakeet’s future survival remains under dire threat. Invasive species like rats, cats, and possums have reduced its population to less than 50 mature individuals struggling to persist in a declining habitat. As a Critically Endangered species prone to extinction, the Macquarie Parakeet today hangs on only by a slim thread.

Urgent measures are still needed to fully eradicate introduced predators from Macquarie Island and allow the parakeet’s tussock grassland home to regenerate in a warming climate. Captive breeding provides some insurance but reintroduction back to the wild will be challenging. Without intervention, this endemic bird could be lost in our lifetime.

As an isolated and beautiful species found nowhere else on Earth, increased global commitment to preserve the Macquarie Parakeet would safeguard a special component of our planetary natural heritage. Hopefully future generations will still know the sight and sound of parakeet flocks brightening the landscape with color and activity. The time to act is now if we aim to successfully achieve this conservation mission.

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Welcome to Norfolk Island! This small, isolated volcanic island 600 miles (965 km) off the Australian east coast is home to an array of unique plants and animals. But perhaps none of its endemic species are as striking as the Norfolk Parakeet. Once also called the Norfolk Island Red-fronted Parakeet, this critically endangered bird survives only in a small area of forest that once stretched across the island.

As you’ll learn, the story of the Norfolk Parakeet is one of perseverance against all odds. Having rebounded from just 4 birds in the 1980s, its population now hovers precariously around just 50 adult birds. Conservation efforts gave the species a second chance after they neared extinction. But more action is needed to preserve the biodiversity of Norfolk Island along with its most iconic endemic inhabitant.

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” – Albert Einstein

Through this article tracing the natural history of the Norfolk Parakeet, you’ll gain insight into this island ecosystem and rare species. Understanding the challenges it faces can inspire more thoughtful stewardship of fragile island habitats globally. Join us on an exploration of the ecology, behavior and uncertain future of Australia’s rarest endemic parrot.

History and Taxonomy

The story of the Norfolk Parakeet begins in the early 1800s when Europeans first encountered these unique island birds. British settlers arriving on Norfolk Island spotted flocks of bright green parakeets feeding on nutmeg and laurel trees. Early accounts described them as abundant across the heavily forested island about 1,243 miles (2,000 km) northeast of Sydney, Australia.

It wasn’t until 1790 that British naturalist George Shaw first described the species scientifically under the name Psittacus cookii in honor of Captain James Cook. Later renamed Cyanoramphus cookii, today it bears the common names Norfolk Parakeet or Norfolk Island Green Parakeet. Closely related to other Pacific parakeets, some experts consider them a subspecies of the Red-crowned Parakeet found in New Caledonia.

Distinctive features include the adult male’s bright red band stretching across the forehead above its cherry eyes, bordered by blue feathers. Adult females lack the colored forehead band and exhibit an entirely green head and breast. Once considered the same species as the Tasman Parakeet of New Zealand, differences in size, appearance and calls warranted separating them taxonomically.

As one of Norfolk Island’s only two endemic land birds found nowhere else, early settlers had no idea that this abundant parrot would face imminent extinction…

Physical Appearance

Stretching just 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) from head to tail, the Norfolk Parakeet exhibits a bright green plumage across most of its body. Its back and wings show a yellowish olive-green hue. Meanwhile a richer emerald shade covers the top of its head, cheeks, chin, and underparts. Black feather markings stand out on its bend of wing and undertail.

Vibrant colors decorate adult male birds. The most striking feature is the broad red band stretching above its eyes from beak to nape. Bordered by bright blue feathers above, this fiery forehead makes the males unmistakable. Females instead sport a mostly green head. Both sexes share in common yellow-green feathers covering the thighs along with crimson-colored undertails and wing patches.

Norfolk Parakeets showcase longer tails relative to body length compared to other parrots. This aids tremendously in aerial maneuverability when navigating dense forest. From beak tip to tail tip the birds reach 13-15 inches (33-38 cm) including their elegant tail streamers. Sturdy gray beaks adapted for cracking hard nuts and seeds help the parakeets gather food. And unusually long middle toes give them a secure grip when climbing.

The island’s other endemic land bird – the Norfolk Island Morepork owl – dwarfs the parakeets at over 12 inches tall. But no other species matches the eye-catching hues of a Norfolk Parakeet flashing swiftly through the canopy. Their vibrant green feathers now make them easy targets for illegal collectors and traders who threaten the species’ chance of recovery.

Habitat and Distribution

The Norfolk Parakeet evolved as a resident of the lush subtropical forests blanketing Norfolk Island. Located in the South Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and New Caledonia, this small volcanic island spans just 13 square miles (35 sq km). Conditions vary widely across zones from sea level up to 1,000 feet (300 m) in elevation.

Originally Norfolk Parakeets occupied habitat across most of the island. Dense evergreen forests dominated by Norfolk Island pines once extended over more than 60% of the land area. Broad-leafed trees like the Phillip Island Hibiscus provided additional food sources. The parakeets particularly favored patches of old growth forest where mature trees offered plenty of nesting cavities.

Today after extensive habitat destruction, the parakeets only occupy a tiny 40 hectare (100 acre) remnant of Norfolk Island National Park. Their restricted range centers around Mt. Pitt and Phillips Flats along the northwestern coast. Attempts to reintroduce populations elsewhere so far failed to take hold. Habitat loss severely hampered the recovery of this endemic species.

The Norfolk Parakeet now holds the title of Australia’s rarest endemic parrot. No other parrot exists in such critically low numbers within such a limited distribution. Continued habitat protection and restoration remain key to securing this species. Only through expanding its small swath of remaining forest can the parakeet population ever expand significantly from its precarious state.

Diet and Feeding

The Norfolk Parakeet evolved as a generalist able to exploit a variety of food sources. Their sturdy gray beaks serve as adept seed crackers able to pry open tough outer coatings. A parakeet’s daily survival hinges on finding sufficient nutrition across all seasons.

This species gravitates to trees in the laurel family including the Norfolk Island Pine. Cones and nuts of the pine along with fruit of the Phillip Island Hibiscus provide dietary staples. Parakeets show readiness to sample other nuts, berries, blossoms and occasional insects to round out their intake.

Observations show routine foraging behaviors like clinging vertically or upside down to branches while surveying food sources. The birds utilize their uniquely adapted feet to grip firmly so their beaks stay free to gather items. When flowers or unripe cones get gnawed apart in feeding, fragments rain to the forest floor below.

Breeding pairs often forage together with one adult scanning vigilantly for threats as the other feeds. But Norfolk Parakeets also form large communal flocks, especially when food sources become scarce. Up to 30-50 birds may converge on fruiting trees or other abundant resources. Safety in numbers allows more relaxed feeding.

Norfolk Parakeets play a key role in seed dispersal and pollination across the native ecosystem. Their survival directly impacts regeneration of the island’s threatened plant species. Preventing the extinction of this endemic parrot remains intertwined with broader habitat preservation efforts.

Breeding and Reproduction

The breeding ecology of Norfolk Parakeets revolves around their ability to locate scarce nesting cavities. Like other parrots they require tree hollows or similar enclosed spaces to safely rear young. But suitable holes only form over time in mature trees – increasingly rare on Norfolk Island.

Breeding season falls between November and March during the Austral summer. Monogamous pairs stay loyal across years. Courtship displays involve the male repeatedly bowing, spreading wings and tail while making chuckling vocalizations. If a female accepts the male, the two then inspect potential nest sites together.

Favored nesting holes around 13 inches (35 cm) deep get lined with a bed of wood chips chewed by the birds. The female then lays a small clutch of just 2-4 white eggs. She performs all incubation duties over 18-20 days while relying on her partner to deliver meals to the nest.

Chicks hatch blind and helpless but grow quickly under devoted care. Both parents share duties feeding regurgitated plant material and insects to the demanding squeaking nestlings. Young fledge at 6-7 weeks but continue roosting in the family territory several more weeks while learning to forage.

Raising even a single clutch taxes the endangered birds. Producing multiple successful broods per year proves essential to any potential population growth. But the parakeets’ future depends first on there being enough suitable and safe nesting trees available across their restricted habitat.

Behavior and Ecology

Norfolk Parakeets showcase a high degree of intelligence and social complexity similar to other parrots. They spend the majority of time interacting within a flock of 10-20 birds that cooperatively feed, roost and even breed communally. These bonded social groups likely include extended family members along with unrelated friends.

Pairs or trios break off periodically from a flock’s daily routines to tend hidden nests. But parenting duties don’t overwhelm the broader social contact so vital to the parakeets’ wellbeing. Loss of a flock mate gets mourned behaviorally similar to grieving rituals of elephants and primates. And juvenile parakeets enjoy protection and learning afforded by group unity.

Vocal communication facilitates all facets of social structure. Researchers identify over a dozen distinct vocalizations used in every situation from feeding and bonding to alarm calls alerting others about threats. Variations help differentiate between terrestrial or aerial predators like owls, hawks or humans.

Norfolk Parakeets remain activity during daylight hours spent alternating between feeding and resting periods. Their ability to fly swiftly over half a mile (>1 km) daily gives them great familiarity of resources across their home range. Flocks congregate in evening at treetop roosts, but pairs break away once again near dawn to start another busy day.

Conservation Status

The Norfolk Parakeet represents one of most dramatic cases of a species saved from absolute extinction. Originally abundant, its population underwent a catastrophic decline as Norfolk Island’s forests got steadily decimated after human settlement. By 1975 only about 50 Norfolk Parakeets barely clung to survival.

Listed as Critically Endangered, the dire outlook led to an emergency captive breeding effort. The total population bottomed out around just 4 remaining birds in 1986. But after successful captive rearing and reintroduction, today a population estimated between 43-57 Norfolk Parakeets fights for survival in the wild.

While no longer at immediate risk of extinction, the species remains endangered by an array of threats:

• Habitat loss and degradation
• Nest site competition from invasive bees
• Overgrazing pressure from introduced livestock
• Illegal poaching for the pet trade
• Disease susceptibility in small populations

Multiple groups like the Norfolk Island Regional Council, Australasian Native Orchid Society and Australian government contribute resources protecting the Norfolk Parakeet. Efforts aim to regenerate native forest, expand the existing habitat, curb non-native species impacts, enforce trade restrictions, and sustainably manage tourist activities.

But recovery depends on continued expansion of protected lands. Until Norfolk Parakeets regain stable connectivity to more nesting and feeding habitat, their future hangs at risk. Ongoing habitat restoration offers the only hope of down listing this flagship species from its precarious position on the brink of extinction.

Cultural Significance

The natural heritage of Norfolk Island remains interwoven with its unique endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. The colorful and charismatic Norfolk Parakeet encapsulates the delicate island ecology that early Polynesian and European settlers exploited to the verge of collapse. This bird symbolizes both the fragility and resilience of the natural world.

Many of Norfolk Island’s endemic plants and animals trace back to early colonizers arriving across ocean currents or air flows. Over millions of years isolated endemic lifeforms like the Norfolk Parakeet evolved to play irreplaceable roles distributing seeds and pollen across the island’s ecosystems. Protecting Norfolk’s cultural identity involves preserving its threatened ecological communities.

As one of the most endangered birds in Australia or Oceania, the Norfolk Parakeet serves as an important flagship to bring awareness and funding to the island’s conservation needs. Its verdant green feathers feature prominently on logos for local conservation groups and sustainable businesses. Images of the parakeet draw crucial tourism dollars that support habitat regeneration projects when managed responsibly.

In effect, saving this parakeet encapsulates hope for restoring balance to the delicate island habitat. An ecological tragedy nearly extinguished this bird forever. But thanks to passionate action, the darling bird of Norfolk Island persists today as part of the island’s rebirth.

Conclusion

As our exploration of this rare parrot illustrates, the Norfolk Parakeet stands today as one of Earth’s most inspiring conservation success stories. It returned from the brink after humans nearly erased this species forever. Yet its future remains intertwined with ongoing habitat protection across its island home.

Beyond just preserving an iconic bird, saving the Norfolk Parakeet offers hope for restoring the vibrant forests and threatened ecological communities once found across Norfolk Island. Its recovery reminds us that even after facing extreme losses, with prompt and bold action, some endangered species can be snatched from extinction’s grip.

“In the end we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.” – Baba Dioum

The story of the Norfolk Parakeet must serve as a lesson to tread lightly and respectfully across the precious habitats that sustain life in all its diversity. This parakeet’s small victory gives us hope that, if we learn from past mistakes and work tirelessly to heal scars upon the land, life may continue on – colorful, resilient and forever awe-inspiring.

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Yellow-crowned Parakeets, also known by their Maori name of kākāriki, are members of the parrot superfamily Psittacoidea, which includes all parrots and parakeets. But what sets these birds apart is the golden-yellow crown of feathers that gives the species its common name. This vibrant curved crown is unique among parakeet species and makes them easy to identify.

These small parrots are endemic to New Zealand, meaning they occur naturally nowhere else in the world. Within New Zealand, Yellow-crowned Parakeets mainly occupy offshore and outlying islands, though they once had a wider range across mainland areas too. Today, the survival and future of these birds depends greatly on conservation efforts, as they face threats from habitat loss, non-native predators, and climate change. But the good news is that their populations can recover when predators are controlled and nesting sites protected.

In this article, you’ll learn all about the natural history of the Yellow-crowned Parakeet—from its taxonomy and physical appearance, to its habitat, feeding, breeding behaviors, conservation status, and cultural significance for New Zealanders. So read on to uncover the secrets of this eye-catching and uniquely Kiwi parrot.

History and Taxonomy

The first known scientific description of the Yellow-crowned Parakeet was made by the famed English ornithologist John Gould in 1845. Based on specimens collected from New Zealand’s South Island, Gould named the species Platycercus auriceps in Latin, meaning “little broad-tailed gold-head.”

For many decades, taxonomists debated whether the Yellow-crowned Parakeet warranted classification as a full species or was better considered a sub-species of the similar Red-crowned Parakeet. At a mere 8 to 9 inches (20 to 23 cm) long, both these small green parrots with golden crowns share visual similarities. Ultimately, more thorough scientific analysis was needed to resolve their taxonomy.

In the 1990s, molecular studies and genetic sequencing confirmed that the Yellow-crowned and Red-crowned Parakeets were definitively separate species. As a result, today the Yellow-crowned Parakeet‘s accepted scientific name is Cyanoramphus auriceps. The genus Cyanoramphus includes eight other closely related parakeet species, all residing exclusively in New Zealand or on surrounding islands.

So while Gould first introduced these birds to science in 1845, it took over a century to fully establish the Yellow-crowned Parakeet as a distinct species from genetic testing. Yet, its uniqueness had long been hinted by the bright golden-yellow feathers curving forward prominently on its crown—a trait seen in no other parakeets globally. This eye-catching crown gives the species its common English name and serves as its most identifiable signature.

Physical Appearance

The most striking feature of the Yellow-crowned Parakeet is of course the golden-yellow crown of feathers that sweeps forward prominently above its beak. This vibrant curved crown gives the species its common name and is key to identifying it.

Beyond the regal yellow crown, these small parakeets display a primarily bright green plumage across the head, back, wings, and tail. Their green feathers have a yellowish tinge of varying intensity. The rump is more blue-green in color. The face and throat area are a duller olive-green.

Male and female Yellow-crowned Parakeets do exhibit some slight physical differences in coloration. Males tend to have a more extensive and brighter yellow crown, while females show a smaller and slightly duller golden crown. Females also display more blue and olive tones mixed throughout their predominately green plumage.

Like other parrots, Yellow-crowned Parakeets show a cere above the curved beak which is grayish-white to pale blue in color. The beak itself is a horn color, while the eyes are brown with pale yellow eye-rings. Legs and feet are gray.

Juveniles hatch with a pale green down and develop adult plumage around three months old. But young fledglings initially show underdeveloped golden crown feathers, which only reach full vibrant yellow a year later during their first molt.

From beak to tail tip, these parakeets measure around 11 inches (28 cm) in total length. Their wingspan ranges about 13 inches (33 cm) across. They are diminutive in size compared to some parrot species, but make up for it with their brightly-colored plumage and loud vocalizations.

Habitat and Distribution

The Yellow-crowned Parakeet is an endemic species found only in New Zealand. These birds once occupied a wider range across New Zealand’s North and South Islands before human settlement. But habitat loss and the introduction of invasive predators decimated populations, restricting them largely to offshore and outlying islands.

Today, strongholds for Yellow-crowned Parakeets include Little Barrier Island, Kapiti Island, Codfish Island, and the Auckland Islands. On these islands, the birds inhabit a variety of habitats including coastal broadleaf and southern beech forests, scrublands, grasslands, wetlands, and sand dunes.

In forested areas, Yellow-crowned Parakeets make use of tree cavities for nesting. But they also reside on small rocky islets that lack trees, nesting among rock crevices and cliffs. The species adapts readily across this island terrain to find suitable breeding sites and sufficient food sources.

Recently, conservation efforts have successfully reintroduced populations of Yellow-crowned Parakeets to a few fenced sanctuary sites on New Zealand’s mainland. These include Zealandia Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellington and the Orokonui Ecosanctuary near Dunedin. Within the safety of predator-proof fencing, the birds thrived once again in their native forests alongside other endangered species.

So while offshore islands serve as the modern strongholds for the Yellow-crowned Parakeet, active repopulation efforts back on the mainland offer hope for future expansion of its fragile habitat range across New Zealand.

Diet and Feeding

The Yellow-crowned Parakeet is an omnivorous bird that incorporates a diverse diet of both plant and animal matter. However, the majority of its feeding centers on various seeds, fruits, nectar, and blossoms. This gives them a predominantly herbivorous diet.

These nimble parakeets employ their curved beak and tongue to extract and ingest seeds from seed pods, cones, and the fruiting bodies of herbs and shrubs. Favored plant foods include the seeds of native trees like rimu, totara, and beech. They also forage for seasonal fruits and nectar from flax, kowhai, fuchsia, and rata flowers.

While vegetation makes up the bulk of their intake, Yellow-crowned Parakeets supplement their diet with some animal protein too. They may feed opportunistically on insects and larvae, or raid nests for eggs and hatchlings. This can include feeding on the chicks of other bird species. The addition of occasional insect and egg prey provides these parrots added nutrition for breeding.

Yellow-crowned Parakeets employ a variety of foraging techniques to locate and access food each day. These include picking apart flowers and cones, crawling along branches, fluttering and hovering near foliage, or hanging upside down to reach. The birds may feed solitarily or in small flocks, calling out with sharp chattering “kek-kek” sounds.

Throughout the day, you can observe these bright green parakeets actively foraging among the canopy and lower scrub. Their broad diet and flexible feeding behaviors likely assist the species in utilizing a diversity of island habitats successfully across New Zealand offshore regions.

Breeding and Reproduction

The Yellow-crowned Parakeet breeds in the spring and summer months from October to January. They form monogamous breeding pairs during this period, frequently returning to the same partner year after year.

Courtship displays involve the male parakeet feeding the female and offering her potential nest hollows for inspection. Once a suitable nest site is chosen, the pair works together to prepare the hollow, lining it with wood dust and small wood chips. Common nest locations include tree cavities, rock crevices, or burrows dug into earthen cliffs.

The typical clutch size is around 5-7 white eggs that the female lays over intervals of several days. She then incubates the eggs alone for about 21 days before they begin hatching as helpless chicks. Meanwhile, the male provides food for his brooding partner throughout incubation.

After all the chicks hatch, both parents share duties feeding the young parakeets. They offer regurgitated food from their crops to satisfy the hungry fledglings. Young leave the nest at 6-7 weeks old, but continue relying on their parents for additional care and feeding as juveniles.

Yellow-crowned Parakeets reach sexual maturity by about 18 months old. Maximum lifespan in the wild is up to 15 years. Pairs often breed yearly to keep pace with mortality rates from exposure and predators across their restricted island habitats. Successfully raising numerous clutches over this decade and a half lifespan is key to ensuring this species’ continued survival amid ongoing risks.

Behavior and Ecology

The Yellow-crowned Parakeet is a highly active and noisy bird, spending its days busily climbing through trees and vegetation while keeping up steady streams of loud calls. Their bright green plumage and incessant chatter makes them a conspicuous presence as they gather and travel about in small flocks.

These highly sociable parakeets communicate with one another frequently through a repertoire of various squawks, screeches, kek-kek-kek alarm calls, and other sounds. Their cries tend to fluctuate sharply in pitch and intensity as they pass along different messages. You’ll rarely observe a silent group for long!

Beyond calling out vocally, Yellow-crowned Parakeets also rely on visual cues for signaling. Watch for various posturing like head bobbing or wing fluttering to express threats, courtship advances, greetings or fledgling begging calls for food. Even the colours of their iridescent crown feathers may shift in tone based on mood.

Grooming represents another important social behavior for parakeets to strengthen bonds and maintain healthy plumage. You may witness pairs or groups carefully preening one another around the head and neck areas they can’t easily reach themselves. Their blissfully closed eyes and relaxed posture indicates shared pleasure.

Dust bathing also helps keep their feathers clean. By wriggling in dry dust or dirt, the particles penetrate through the plumage, absorbing excess oils and skin irritants. Afterwards, grooming kicks off the dust to tidy the coat again. You might catch sight of these amusing contortions low in vegetation or on the ground.

In the wild, Yellow-crowned Parakeets can live approximately 10 to 15 years. Maintaining high flock numbers across suitable breeding habitats provides these gregarious birds enough genetic diversity and protection to survive despite ongoing predation risks from invasive pests. Through continued management of their fragmented island niches, we can assure future generations of this uniquely-crowned New Zealand endemic.

Conservation Status

Due to severe population declines and increasing pressure on their limited habitat range, the Yellow-crowned Parakeet is currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Ongoing conservation management is needed to protect this endemic New Zealand bird.

Major threats contributing to their worried status include deforestation, non-native predators, illegal trapping, competition for nest sites, and potential future impacts from climate change. With populations already restricted to offshore islands and a few mainland sanctuaries, these multiple risks remain concerning.

Deforestation and habitat loss from early European settlement vastly reduced the habitat range for Yellow-crowned Parakeets in New Zealand. Meanwhile, introduced predators like rats, stoats, cats and possums preyed extensively upon adults and eggs alike, decimating their numbers. The species became effectively exiled to predator-free outlying islands.

Though island conditions supported less competition and threats for the parakeets, these tiny remnant populations also grew severely inbred. Moreover, storms can easily overwhelm tiny islets, eliminating an entire local genetic lineage in one blow. So their long-term survival pivots on active ecosystem management.

To aid the species, conservation groups now administer proper pest control programs, regularly monitor populations, provide nest boxes, and breed birds in captivity for release. These efforts help expand populations back into mainland reserves inside predator-proof fencing for greater genetic diversity. Maintaining this support long-term offers the best hope of one day down listing the Yellow-crowned Parakeet to a safer conservation status.

Cultural Significance

The vibrant green plumage and distinctive yellow crown of the Yellow-crowned Parakeet make this endemic bird a recognized cultural icon for New Zealand. Known by their Māori name of kākāriki, these small parakeets feature prominently across New Zealand artwork, literature, postage stamps, and national symbolism. They even appear occasionally as pets.

In traditional Māori folklore, the kākāriki brought important knowledge to humans from the native forest gods. Their high-pitched chattering was thought to form part of the forest’s living spirit. So killing these cherished birds was tapu (forbidden). These beliefs likely helped uphold early protections for the vulnerable species during ancient times.

Today the Yellow-crowned Parakeet remains an oft-used symbol celebrating New Zealand’s unique wildlife. It has graced multiple commemorative postage stamps issued by New Zealand Post over past decades. Kākāriki artwork motifs also adorn popular souvenir products for the tourism sector. And whenever global entities promote Brand New Zealand abroad, you’ll surely spot this iconic parrot somewhere in the colorful imagery!

Beyond their strong national symbolism, a limited number of bird enthusiasts also keep Yellow-crowned Parakeets as pets. Strict regulations govern captive breeding of this vulnerable species however to prevent endangering wild populations through illegal poaching of eggs or chicks. Any private aviculture efforts must ensure genetic diversity and pair numbers that support eventual release back to the islands one day if needed.

So while human activities have severely threatened these parakeets in the past through deforestation and invasive species, today New Zealanders proudly uphold the Yellow-crowned Parakeet as an endemic treasure through ongoing cultural celebration and environmental protection efforts nationwide.

Conclusion

The vibrant Yellow-crowned Parakeet stands out as one of New Zealand’s most recognizable endemic bird species. Its bright golden crown feathers curving forward boldly above an overall green plumage make this small parrot truly distinctive in the avian world.

Yet what makes this species so exceptionally special is that it occurs nowhere else globally but New Zealand and its surrounding islets. After evolving for over two million years in ancestral isolation, the archipelago’s remote geography allowed a diversity of unique birds like the kākāriki to flourish through deep time relatively free of predators.

Tragically, the past few centuries of human environmental destruction severely imperiled this innate island biodiversity. Deforestation and invasive mammals encroached heavily on native species, with endangered endemics like the Yellow-crowned Parakeet losing over 90% of their former range wide population.

Only through intensive conservation management in recent decades to protect and restore offshore island habitats has the species begun recovering from this former brush with extinction. Continued predator control, population monitoring, public education, and possible reintroductions back to mainland reserves now offer genuine long-term hope for a brighter future.

So when glimpsing this eye-catching yellow crown bobbing through native forest canopies, we must recall both the deep roots and fragile foothold of this endemic legacy. All New Zealanders share collective responsibility to restore the habitats that sustain the exceptional biodiversity of rare species like the Yellow-crowned Parakeet across their ancestral home.

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