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Antipodes Island / Green Parakeets

Kakarikis: Red-fronted Parakeets

The Antipodes Island Parakeet (Cyanoramphus unicolor) is endemic to the Antipodes Islands, and is one of two parrot species found on the islands. It is the largest species in the genus Cyanoramphus.

This parakeet eats leaves, buds, grass, and tussock stalks, as well as sometimes feeding on seeds, flowers, and will scavange dead seabirds. The Antipodes Island Parakeet also preys on Grey-backed Storm-petrels. It will enter burrows to kill incubating adults, even dig at the entrance if it is two small.

Description:

This species averages 12 inches in length (30 cm), from head to tip of tail. General plumage green; yellowish-green on breast, abdomen and under tail-coverts; outer webs of flight-feathers violet-blue; iris orange; feet grey; bill pale bluish-grey with blackish tip. Immatures as adult.

Training and Behavioral Guidance:

• Pet parrots generally present challenges, such as excessive chewing - especially at certain stages in their life. They do discover their beaks as method of "disciplining us" once they are out of the "baby stage" and they can generally be somewhat naughty, and it really is important to learn to understand them and to guide their behavior before an undesirable behavior has been established. Undisciplined parrots will chew on electric wiring potentially causing house fires. They regard anything in your home as a "toy" that can be explored and chewed on; destroying items that you may hold dear or are simply valuable. Even a young bird that has not been neglected and abused requires proper guidance; this becomes even more challenging when it involves a rescued bird that may require rehabilitation.
  
  
  • Web Resources: I put together web resources for you to help you understand your pet bird and properly direct him. Please visit this website for valuable tips on parrot behavior and training.
  
  
  
  • If you are, as I am, a visual learner and prefer step-by-step instructions to train your pet, I recommend:
    
    • the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
      • Stop Biting
      • Perform Tricks &
      • Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
    • and/or try the "Teach Your Parrot to Talk" Training Course.

Care and Feeding:

Parrots love to climb and play and need to be provided with a cage that allows them to move around freely and toys to entertain themselves with. Please refer to the following websites for information:

• Sources for Purchasing or Adopting your Companion or Aviary Birds
• Optimal nutrition to keep your bird healthy
• Housing your bird / Fun & Safe Toys
• Bird Training
• Caring for your companion bird

Taxonomy:

Scientific: Cyanoramphus unicolor ... English: Antipodes Green Parakeet ... Dutch: Groene Kakariki, Blauwe Kakariki ... German: Einfarblaufsittich ... French: Perruche verte D'Antipode

CITES II - Endangered Species

Distribution: Antipodes Island

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Related Websites: New Zealand Parrots ... Lexicon of Parrots

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