Pet Breed Guide NZ
Kakariki (Red-crowned Parakeet)
The Kakariki, or Red-crowned Parakeet, is a vibrant and energetic small bird native to New Zealand, known for its striking green plumage and distinctive red crown. These curious and playful parakeets make engaging companions for dedicated owners, thriving on interaction and mental stimulation. Their active nature means they require ample space for flight and exploration, making them a lively addition to a home. With a lifespan of 15-20 years, they represent a long-term commitment. In New Zealand, Kakariki are a protected native species, and keeping them as pets requires specific permits and adherence to strict legal sourcing guidelines.
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NZ Ownership Snapshot
Permit Required- Noise Level
- moderate
- Social Needs
- groups
- Diet Type
- Seeds, pellets, vegetables, fruit, and species-appropriate enrichment foods
- UVB Required
- No
Permit required: DOC states red-crowned and yellow-crowned kakariki are the only native bird species allowed to be held and bred in captivity, and breeders require wildlife permits from DOC.
Breed Snapshot
- Size
- small
- Lifespan
- 15-20 years
- Origin
- New Zealand
- Care Focus
- Social and vocal bird that needs daily enrichment, safe handling, and secure housing.
- NZ Price
- NZD $200 - $500
- Annual Vet Cost
- Estimated annual routine vet/care costs in NZ for a Kakariki can range from NZD $150 - $300 for annual check-ups and basic supplies. However, exotic vet availability in New Zealand is limited, and specialist consultations or emergency treatments for specific illnesses can quickly escalate to NZD $500 - $1500 or more.
Personality Scores
NZ Lifestyle Fit
Kakariki can adapt well to various New Zealand home types, from suburban houses with a section to larger apartments, provided they have a sufficiently spacious cage or aviary and daily out-of-cage time for exercise. Climate-wise, they are hardy native birds, but like all pets, they need protection from extreme weather. In colder South Island regions, an outdoor aviary would need sheltered, insulated areas, while in humid Auckland, good ventilation is key to preventing respiratory issues. There are no specific regional restrictions beyond the nationwide permit requirements. Legally sourcing a Kakariki in NZ is paramount; always purchase from MPI-approved, licensed New Zealand breeders or reputable, licensed keepers. The NZ Bird Society can be a valuable resource for finding ethical sources and advice on Kakariki care.
Permit required: DOC states red-crowned and yellow-crowned kakariki are the only native bird species allowed to be held and bred in captivity, and breeders require wildlife permits from DOC.
About the Kakariki (Red-crowned Parakeet)
The Kakariki, scientifically known as Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae, is a charming and lively parakeet species native to New Zealand. Its name, 'Kakariki', is Māori for 'small parrot', perfectly encapsulating its role as one of New Zealand's beloved avian residents. These birds are renowned for their energetic personalities and inquisitive nature, making them captivating pets for those prepared for their specific needs. With a typical lifespan of 15-20 years, a Kakariki is a long-term companion, offering years of vibrant activity and companionship. They are relatively small, making them suitable for homes that can provide a spacious aviary or cage with plenty of out-of-cage time.
What They Look Like
Kakariki are easily identifiable by their brilliant emerald green plumage, which covers most of their body. The 'Red-crowned' in their name refers to the distinctive crimson patch on their forehead and crown, extending just past their eyes. Many also exhibit a small red patch on each side of the rump. Their beaks are a pale bluish-grey with a darker tip, and they have bright yellow irises. They possess a slender build with a relatively long tail, which contributes to their agile flight. While the most common colour is green, selective breeding has also produced yellow and pied variations, though the wild type remains the most iconic.
Personality & Behaviour
Kakariki are highly active and curious birds. They are known for their playful antics, often seen climbing, exploring, and foraging. Unlike some quieter parrots, Kakariki can be quite vocal, with a distinctive chattering call, though their noise level is generally considered moderate compared to larger parrots. They thrive on social interaction and require regular engagement from their owners to prevent boredom and behavioural issues like feather plucking. They are intelligent and can be taught simple tricks or to mimic sounds, though they are not typically known for extensive speech. Their energetic nature means they need plenty of enrichment, including toys for chewing and foraging opportunities.
Life in New Zealand
As a native New Zealand species, the Kakariki holds a special place in the country's biodiversity. However, this also means their ownership as pets is subject to strict regulations. Kakariki are a protected species under the Wildlife Act 1953, and obtaining one requires a permit from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) or relevant local authority. It is crucial for prospective Kiwi owners to understand that sourcing a Kakariki must only be done from legal, licensed breeders or keepers within New Zealand. This ensures that wild populations are not impacted and that the birds are ethically and legally obtained. Responsible ownership also involves providing an environment that prevents escape, as introduced Kakariki could pose a risk to wild populations through genetic mixing or disease transmission.
Is This the Right Pet for You?
Bringing a Kakariki into your home is a significant commitment. Their long lifespan, active nature, and social needs mean they require daily attention, mental stimulation, and a spacious, enriching environment. While their moderate noise level makes them more suitable for some homes than louder parrots, their constant activity and chattering can still be noticeable. They are best suited for owners who can dedicate time to interaction, provide a varied diet, and ensure their enclosure is cleaned regularly. Prospective owners must also be prepared to navigate the legal requirements for keeping a native bird in New Zealand, ensuring all permits are in order and the bird is sourced responsibly. If you're looking for an intelligent, lively, and engaging companion and are committed to responsible pet ownership, a Kakariki could be a wonderful addition to your whānau.
Fun Facts
Fact 1
The name 'Kakariki' is Māori for 'small parrot' or 'green'.
Fact 2
They are known for their distinctive 'chattering' call, which is quite unique among parrots.
Fact 3
Kakariki are often seen foraging on the ground in the wild, searching for seeds, fruits, and insects.
Fact 4
They are incredibly curious and playful, often described as having a 'clownish' personality.
Fact 5
In the wild, Kakariki are cavity nesters, often choosing hollows in trees or rock crevices for their nests.
Related Breeds
Bourke's Parakeet
Bourke's Parakeet is a small, softly coloured parrot from inland Australia, rosy pink below with a grey-brown back and blue in the wings, and it is one of the gentler options for a first-time bird owner. It is quiet by parakeet standards, offering melodic chirps rather than squawking, and it is crepuscular, so most of its activity falls around dawn and dusk while the day passes in dozing and gentle foraging. Bourkies are docile, rarely bite, and become tame with steady, unhurried handling, though they tend to enjoy company more than cuddling and are not mimics. They do best in pairs or small groups, with a roomy cage, varied perches, chewable toys and supervised flight in a bird-proofed room. A lifespan of 8 to 12 years and soft vocalisations make them workable in flats and quiet homes that want a calm, undemanding bird.
Budgerigar (Budgie)
The Budgerigar, or budgie, is a small long-tailed seed-eating parrot from Australia and one of the most widely kept companion birds in the world. It is lively, inquisitive and intensely social: budgies live in large flocks in the wild, so a single bird needs either a companion budgie or committed daily human interaction to stay settled. They are bright enough to learn to step up, perform simple tricks and mimic speech, males more readily than females. Wild birds are green and yellow with black scalloping on the wings, while selective breeding has produced blue, white, yellow, grey and pied colour mutations. Care is straightforward rather than trivial: fresh food and water twice daily, a pellet-based diet with seed as a treat, spot cleaning, and 30 to 60 minutes of supervised flight in a bird-safe room. Their small size suits apartments, though near-constant chirping makes them a poor match for a noise-sensitive household.
Caique
The Caique is a small, stocky South American parrot represented by two species, the Black-headed and the White-bellied, both bold, comical and relentlessly busy. Roughly 23 to 25 cm long and 150 to 170 grams, it carries a large personality in a compact frame and is better known for its hopping gait across flat surfaces than for talking, although it mimics sounds and chirps freely. Noise sits at a moderate level rather than a piercing one. A Caique needs at least two to four hours of supervised time out of the cage each day, the largest enclosure a home can fit, and a steady rotation of chewable and foraging toys, since a bored bird slides quickly into plucking or aggression. With a lifespan of 25 to 40 years, it fits an active, sociable household that is home often and ready for a decades-long companion.
Cockatiel
The Cockatiel is a crested Australian parrot and a member of the cockatoo family, kept for its friendly manner, its moderate voice and its readiness to bond with the people around it. Its movable crest doubles as a mood signal, rising when the bird is excited and flattening when it relaxes. The familiar normal grey has a grey body, white wing patches and an orange cheek patch, with lutino, pearl, pied, cinnamon and white-faced mutations also common. Temperament is affectionate rather than boisterous: cockatiels often enjoy head scratches and shoulder perching, and males in particular pick up whistled tunes and simple mimicry. Noise is moderate and mostly whistling rather than harsh squawking. They need a spacious cage, a pellet-led diet with seed a small part of it, an hour or two of supervised flight daily, and company, since they cope badly when left alone for long stretches. A lifespan of 15 to 25 years makes them a long commitment for families and patient first-time bird owners.