Yellow-crowned Parakeet
Cyanoramphus auriceps
A small, rare, bright green parakeet endemic to New Zealand. Recognized by its yellow crown and the thin red band that stretches to both red eyes between the crown and the base of the beak. Found in large native forests on the mainland, on the Auckland Islands, and on offshore island sanctuaries. Usually detected by its rapid chattering call within the tree canopy. Forms small flocks in autumn and winter. Similar to Malherbe’s Parakeet, but look for brighter green plumage, red frontal band, and crimson rump patches instead of orange. Smaller than the Red-crowned Parakeet, lacking red crown.
Identification
Yellow-crowned parakeets are 23 cm long and primarily bright green. They have a red band fronting their eponymous golden crown. Their wings, when spread in flight, are bluish purple. Their eyes are either orange or red and their bill is grey.<p>The males of this species are larger than the females. The females can also be distinguished from males as their bills are disproportionally smaller.
Taxonomy
This species was first described by Heinrich Kuhl in 1820 and originally named Psittacus auriceps.
- Scientific name
- Cyanoramphus auriceps
- Authority
- (Kuhl, 1820)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittaculidae
- Genus
- Cyanoramphus
Range and habitat
Yellow-crowned parakeets prefer the upper canopies of tall, unbroken stub and forest, though they have been observed at high-altitude tussock meadows and on some of the subantarctic islands. A notably favoured habitat is mixed podocarp/nothofagus forest.The preference of C. auriceps for the upper canopies may have placed it at an advantage in comparison to the red-crowned parakeet, as it likely reduced the risk from predators.<p>These parakeets are endemic to New Zealand and range across the main islands, as well as Ewing Island in the Auckland Islands. This is the world's most southern observed location of Cyanoramphus, and the second-southernmost location of living parrots.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
The yellow-crowned parakeet is absolutely protected under New Zealand's Wildlife Act 1953. The species is also listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) meaning international export/import (including parts and derivatives) is regulated.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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