Antipodes Parakeet
A species of Southwest Pacific Parakeets Scientific name : Cyanoramphus unicolor Genus : Southwest Pacific Parakeets
Antipodes Parakeet, A species of Southwest Pacific Parakeets
Botanical name: Cyanoramphus unicolor
Genus: Southwest Pacific Parakeets
Content
Description General Info
Description
It is the largest species in the genus Cyanoramphus at 30 cm (12 in) long. and makes a penetrating kok-kok-kok-kok noise.
Size
30 cm
Nest Placement
Cavity
Feeding Habits
Antipodes Parakeet primarily feeds on Poa and Carex leaves, making up 70% of its diet. It also eats seeds (13%), berries, flowers, and other vegetation (10%), and occasionally consumes carrion of penguins and petrels (6%).
Habitat
The antipodes Parakeet predominantly resides in lush habitats marked by tall, dense Poa litorosa tussock grasses. These regions typically feature coastal slopes and are often located near watercourses. The bird favors these denser vegetative environments as opposed, to the more open terrains preferred by some of its sympatric relatives.
Dite type
Herbivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Behavior
These parakeets eat leaves, buds, grass, and tussock stalks, as well as sometimes feeding on seeds, flowers, and will scavenge dead seabirds. The Antipodes parakeet also preys on grey-backed storm petrels, entering burrows to kill incubating adults, even digging at the entrance if it is too small. Antipodes parakeets spend much of their time on the ground and in very small groups, in pairs or solitary. They are quite inquisitive, territorial, probing and mischievous. Their nest is in a tunnel 2 metres beneath the fibrous peat away from the wind.
Distribution Area
The Antipodes parakeet is endemic to the Antipodes Islands of New Zealand. They are common on the main Antipodes Island, but are less common on smaller islands in the group such as Bollons Island. They live in very small numbers on Leeward Island, where they only live in a 0.1 square kilometre region of the island. The Antipodes parakeet also live on the 0.1 square kilometre Archway Island as well.
Species Status
The population is stable but conservation status is Vulnerable. The population is 2,000-3,000. Originally entirely restricted to the islands that bear their name there is now a small captive population, founded with less than 20 individuals, on the mainland.