Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae (Sparrman, 1787)

Common and Scientific Names

The red-crowned parakeet, with the scientific name Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae, is also called the red-fronted parakeet, and is known as kākāriki in Māori. It is a small parrot native to New Zealand.

Distinguishing Physical Features

This species is identified by its bright green feathers and a distinct red pattern on its head.

General Ecological Versatility

It is a versatile species that feeds on a wide range of food items and can live in many different habitat types.

Conservation Status History

Previously, it was classified as near threatened, because invasive predators pushed the species out of much of its historical range, but it is now categorized as least concern.

Historical and Current Range Extent

While it once occupied all of New Zealand's main islands, it is now restricted to only a few areas of the mainland and several offshore islands.

Habitat Types

Red-crowned parakeets inhabit a very broad variety of habitats, including dense temperate rainforests, coastal forests, scrubland, forest edges, and open areas.

Habitat Partitioning with Related Species

Where their range overlaps with that of yellow-crowned parakeets, red-crowned parakeets prefer forest edges and open areas.

Historical Mainland Distribution

Historically, red-crowned parakeets were widespread across both the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

Cause of Mainland Population Decline

Today, most of the species' mainland populations have been lost due to predation by introduced species.

North Island Mainland Distribution

On the North Island mainland, the species is found in large forest blocks in Northland, the Coromandel Peninsula, and the central North Island.

South Island Mainland Distribution

On the South Island, red-crowned parakeets have been recorded along the West, South, and South-East coasts, but these mainland populations remain extremely rare.

Offshore and Subantarctic Distribution

The rest of the species' population is restricted to Stewart Island / Rakiura, a number of offshore islands such as Kapiti Island, Tiritiri Matangi Island, and Matiu / Somes Island, and the Auckland Islands to the south.

Subspecies Distribution

Other subspecies of this parrot live on their respective islands, the Kermadec Islands and the Chatham Islands.