Are Kakariki Native To New Zealand

Info

These birds are called jumping parrots, or simply Kakarik Parrot. They are considered to be the most active and playful birds. They are in great demand among breeders because, in addition to the fun that such a pet brings to the house, it also quickly adapts to the conditions of captivity, does not require specific conditions of detention, and even talks.

They began to call Kakriks jumping because of their method of movement. They jump on the ground in search of food and even periodically rummage through the litter like chickens. But birds also fly remarkably well, deftly avoiding obstacles and abruptly changing their flight path.

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The appearance of a Kakarik parrot

Habitat

The main habitat is New Zealand and nearby islands (Southern, Macquarie, Tahiti, and Raiatea). Settlement on different islands became the reason for the division of Kakariki into subspecies.

Varieties of New Zealand parrot

Initially, scientists knew about seven species of jumping parrots. But by the middle of the 19th century, three subspecies had become extinct. The rest are now under the protection of environmental organizations as endangered or sharply declining populations.

Credit: Wikimedia

The main reasons for extinction and population decline are:

• deforestation;
• introduction of predatory animal species to the islands;
• poachers.

Lifespan Of A Kakarik parrot

On average, wild representatives of the Kakariki family live up to 15 years, but in captivity with proper care, life expectancy increases to 20 years.

Features Of Keeping At Home

Kakariki quickly adapt to home living conditions. But in order for your feathered pet to feel good, experienced poultry farmers recommend paying attention to the following points:

• Length of daylight (no more than 12 hours, otherwise the birds will start nesting).
• The presence of places where the bird can get stuck or get injured while walking (it is better to close all niches, holes, openings, and remove sharp and fragile objects from the room).
• Air temperature should be from +17 0 C to +20 0 C (birds become aggressive in the heat).
• Air humidity (normal 60 to 70%).

Credit: Beauty of Birds

It is better to limit curious Kakariki from contact with green spaces in the house and other pets (cats, dogs).

Cell Selection

The optimal size of a bird house is 0.85×0.55×0.9 m.

The bars of the cage are metal, horizontal, placed at a distance of up to 2 cm.The shape of the bird’s home is rectangular (birds will be able to run on all planes, including the ceiling).

It is better to cover the bottom of the cage with paper or pour wood filler on it (birds like to run on the floor and rummage).

Since the birds are hyperactive and are constantly exploring something, they must be allowed out every day to “walk” around the apartment for at least 4 hours a day. The health of feathered pets directly depends on such walks.

The cage should be filled with the necessary equipment – feeders, drinking bowls, toys, bathtub, perches.

Nutrition

Jumping parrots are not picky about their diet. The main rule is a variety of feeds. The diet of birds includes:

• juicy and soft herbs (up to 70% of the total mass) nettle or dandelion;
• vegetables, fruits (15-20%):
  – cucumbers;
  – Bulgarian pepper;
  – carrot;
  – zucchini, squash;
  – pumpkin;
  – Chinese cabbage;
  – celery, lettuce;
  – apples, pears;
  – apricots;
  – kiwi;
  – citrus fruits;
• grains with legumes, as well as microgreens made from them or ready-made grain mixtures (oats, wheat, buckwheat, lentils, peas, soybeans, corn, sunflower, flax seed, nuts);
• products of animal origin (eggs, cottage cheese, larvae);
• mineral supplements (sand, chalk, sepia).

Credit: Wikimedia

Toys

For birds, toys that are suitable for small species of birds are suitable – balls, rings, bells, climbing frames, perches, swings. But in addition to purchased products, a variety of threads, shreds, and even wood filler or sand, in which they will happily rummage, can amuse your feathered pet. Birds’ attention switches with extreme speed, so they constantly need to be offered new fun.

Intelligence And Abilities Of Kakariks

Intelligence and quick reaction are the hallmarks of jumping parrots. In addition, they perfectly remember the location of objects, quickly adapt to any changes and deftly adapt to environmental conditions. With constant communication, the Kakarik parrot remembers up to 30 words, although it speaks them without much expressiveness (word combinations with hissing sounds are better).

If you work with your feathered pet every day, he will certainly delight the audience with tricks: juggling rings, quickly (almost lightning-fast) moving around the house, rolling balls.

Education And Domestication

Although New Zealand parrots are friendly to people, you should not expect them to become loyal friends in the house. Birds will make contact with humans mainly for the sake of getting a treat, and then quickly run away “on business.” To ensure that nothing disturbs your parrot during training, it is better to remove other pets from the room and try to stay alone longer. For each “success” the bird must be “rewarded” with a treat. Over time, a smart bird will grasp the connection between commands and treats, and will willingly begin to carry out assigned tasks.

Care And Hygiene

Care and maintenance also require certain hygiene measures:

• daily cleaning of the bottom and replacement of filler;
• washing feeders and drinkers every day;
• carrying out general cleaning every 7-10 days;
• quarterly disinfection of the cage with equipment.

Diseases

The main reasons why parrots get sick:

• improper diet;
• unsanitary conditions of detention;
• too dry and hot air.

The most common pathologies that jumping parrots are exposed to are:

• Paratyphoid;
• Tuberculosis;
• Helminthiases;
• Knemidocoptosis;
• Hyperkeratosis;
• Mycoplasmosis;
• Food intoxication;
• Colds.

Due to their increased activity, birds are always prone to various types of injuries.

The main prevention of the occurrence of pathological conditions is maintaining cleanliness in the cage, selecting high-quality feed, periodic disinfection, feeding with vitamin and mineral premixes to strengthen the immune system.

Breeding At Home

Due to their strong instinct for procreation, Kakariki always need a partner, so they should only be kept in pairs. Parrots become mature after 3 months, but it is better to mate them no earlier than 6 months of life (after all vital organs have matured). Pairs form quite quickly, but there are times when parrots cannot find a common language with each other. It is worth noting that during puberty, birds become more aggressive, and during this period they may not get along well with everyone around them. The breeding season can last all year.

For birds, a nesting house measuring 0.25×0.25×0.40 m is set up at a height of approximately 20 cm from the bottom. The diameter of the tap hole is made approximately 6-7 cm.

Recommended microclimate indicators:
– temperature – +20-+25 0 C;
— humidity – 60-80%;
– daylight hours – up to 16 hours.

One clutch can contain up to 10 eggs, which the female incubates for 19-25 days. Chicks that hatch earlier have a greater chance of survival. Feathered parents jointly feed their offspring. And at the age of 2-2.5 months, the young animals are placed in a separate cage.

How To Determine The Gender Of Kakarika

Genetic testing can accurately determine the of birds. But Kakariki are also characterized by quite distinct sexual characteristics:

• size – males are always distinguished by their larger torso;
• head size – in females it is two times smaller than in males;
• beak size – in males it is larger and wider;
• females have a special spot that stretches from the beak to the back of the head;
• males are characterized by increased activity;
• cornea color: in females – flesh-colored, in males – dark blue.

Matching

Selecting the right pair is the key to successful breeding of New Zealand parrots at home. To ensure that brought together birds are not just friends while living together in a cage, it is recommended:

• carefully bring the birds together so as not to quarrel from the first day (arrange short meetings for 5-10 minutes, gradually increasing the time of meetings);
• maintain the desired microclimate and increase the duration of daylight hours (more than 12 hours).

At the first signs of mating (the male takes care of the female, cleans her feathers, feeds her), the birds are left to live together and a nest is installed for them.

How to choose the right parrot, price for Kakarik Paarot

If you want to have a Kakarika, you need to take a responsible approach to the choice of bird. The best option is to purchase a feathered pet from a specialized nursery or pet store.

When purchasing, pay attention to the following nuances:

• age (recommended – 1.5 month old chicks);
• appearance (color must comply with the stated Standards, and the plumage must be shiny and well laid out);
• health status (the parrot is alert, curious, without discharge from the eyes or beak);
• the sanitary condition of the place where the bird was kept before purchase (a parrot taken from unsanitary conditions risks having poor immunity and quickly dying).

The price for a healthy and well-groomed Kakarika that meets the Standards ranges from $45 to $70 per individual. This price makes the birds affordable for most people who want to buy them.

Kakarik or New Zealand parrot is an amazing species of parrot, which is distinguished by hyperactivity, unique character and intelligence. The appearance of such a pet in the house is happiness for sincere connoisseurs of the exotic.

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