Australia
SpeciesField NotesLog inDownload

Field notes

Stay in the loop

Get updates, new features, and Australian birding news.

By subscribing, I agree to receive BirdUp Australia updates, new features, and Australian birding news.

Australia
Download for iOSDownload for AndroidSpeciesField NotesRSSNewsletterBrandPrivacyTerms

BirdUp Australia Pty Ltd © 2026. Made in Australia for Australian birders.

  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Psittaculidae
  4. ›
  5. Cyanoramphus
  6. ›
  7. Red-crowned Parakeet

BirdUp · Species

Red-crowned Parakeet

Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae(Sparrman, 1787)

Also known asKākāriki

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Native
Order
PSITTACIFORMES
Family
Psittaculidae
Genus
Cyanoramphus

At a glance

The Red-crowned Parakeet is a medium-sized bird, about 21–27 cm long, listed as Least Concern and native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
21–27 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Local
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Red-crowned Parakeet look like?

The Red-crowned Parakeet is a medium-sized bird, about 21–27 cm long and weighing 50–113 g.

The red-crowned parakeet, also known as red-fronted parakeet and by its Māori name of kākāriki, is a small parrot from New Zealand. It is characterised by its bright green plumage and the red pattern on its head. This versatile bird can feed on a variety food items and can be found in many habitat types. It used to be classified as near threatened as invasive predators had pushed it out of its historical range but it is now at least concern. This species used to occupy the entire island, but is now confined to only a few areas on the mainland and some offshore islands.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
21–27 cm
Weight
50–113 g
Wingspan
32 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

flight

  • In flight, the dark blue outerwing feathers contrast sharply with the green body, while females and juvenile males also show a diagnostic yellow stripe on the underwing.

plumage

  • Look for a bright crimson forehead and crown, complemented by a red stripe through the eye and distinctive red patches on both sides of the rump.
  • The eye color is a key indicator of age; adults display a bright red iris, whereas the eyes of juveniles are dark brown or black.

size_and_shape

  • Note the long, graduated tail and the pale grey-white bill with a distinct black tip, which is smaller and narrower in females.

voice

  • Listen for a rapid, musical chattering 'ki-ki-ki-ki' or 'kek-kik-kek' call, which is most often heard during take-off or in flight.

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Red-crowned Parakeet?

The Red-crowned Parakeet is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Red-crowned Parakeet eat?

The Red-crowned Parakeet feeds on fruit, seeds and foliage/herbs, usually foraging in pairs or flocks.

The BirdUp app

Log your next Red-crowned Parakeet in the field

A pocket field journal for 850+ Australian birds. Offline-first, smart ID, and a lifelist that travels with you.

Get the appRead field notes
Spotted something wrong on this page? Report incorrect info

02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Red-crowned Parakeet live in Australia?

The Red-crowned Parakeet is native to Australia, recorded across 3 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingNorth and Stewart is. and satellites, Chatham Is. (east of South I.), Auckland Is. (south of South I.; New Zealand) and formerly Macquarie I. (far south-east of Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Vagrant

3 regions recorded