Yellow-crowned parakeet

The yellow-crowned parakeet, also known as "kākāriki" in Māori, is a vibrant bird native to New Zealand. These charming creatures can be found on the country's three main islands and even on the remote Auckland Islands. Unfortunately, their numbers have dwindled due to introduced predators and the destruction of their natural habitats. Nonetheless, they have not completely disappeared from mainland New Zealand.

First described by Heinrich Kuhl in 1820, these parakeets are easy to recognize. They boast a striking golden crown, a bright green body, and wings that shimmer with bluish-purple hues. Generally, males are larger than females, who have comparatively smaller bills.

Yellow-crowned parakeets thrive in tall forests, but they also inhabit tussock meadows and even subantarctic islands. Their diet is quite diverse; they feed on seeds, fruits, flowers, leaves, shoots, and even invertebrates. When it comes to nesting, they are highly adaptable, choosing sites such as crevices, burrows, and tree trunks.

Once widespread across New Zealand, these parakeets have become less common over time. Despite their decline, they remain the most frequently seen parakeet species in the country.