General Kakariki Information: P E T Z O N E W i g a n LATI NAME: Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae (Red-fronted), Cyanoramphus auriceps (Yellow -fronted) ORIGINS: New Zealand SIZE: 25cm - 28cm in length. Weighing approx, 65g LIFE SPAN: 15-20 years HABITAT: The Kakariki (meaning little parrot in Maori) originates from New Zealand and it's surrounding is- lands. There are 2 species:- the more commonly available Red- Caring For fronted and the Yellow- fronted. Both species are now Your very rare in their native lands, but they have been bred for Kakariki many years in captivity, which means there is a healthy stock in Europe and the UK. For All Your PETZONE Wigan Animal Needs PETZONE Wigan 6 Jaxon's Court Wigan WN1 1LR Tel: 01942 732563 Phone: 01942 732563 Web: www.petzonewigan.co.uk Email: [email protected] active and such strong flyers, Kakarikis are DIET HOUSING best kept in an aviary no less than 4.5m (15ft) in length. They love to forage so will enjoy life in a large planted aviary, where Kakarikis are good, all round eaters who like Provide a suitable, sturdy and strong cage, the bigger they can be kept with small soft bills and a wide variety of foods, including canary seed, the better. At least part of the cage should have hori- finches. sunflower, Niger, hemp, linseed and safflower zontally oriented bars to allow your kakariki to climb are all enjoyed as well as peanuts, sweetcorn on the sides of the cage. Another design feature which and pine nuts. For their main diet provide would be beneficial is for the cage to open at the top nutritional complete parrot food mix- with a perch, so your kakariki will be able to climb on es. They relish in cultivated greens such as to the high perch, giving the kakariki confidence and kale, rocket and spinach, but they are not more access to fly around in a secure and safe room for fussy and will eat almost any green food fed a bit. Make sure there is a selection of perches that daily. Egg food (crumbly consistency) should vary in size and material e.g. safe bird branch- be offered just before chicks hatch and during es. Provide metal food/water bowls and check that the the rearing period. Along with millet sprays. design of the cage always ensures easy access to food/ They will also eat fruit, such as apple, straw- water. It may be good to install additional food bowls berries and grapes, also sweetcorn, carrot for your pet kakariki as this will increase BEHAVIOUR and celery. NOTE: that Kakarikis have a your kakariki's exploring nature. Use sand and grit habit of scratching rapidly with their feet, for the bottom of the cage or newspaper. Provide a sometimes scattering the contents of the food good selection of appropriate parrot toys. The cage They are very curiosity and inquisitive birds, dish in all directions. This habit originates should be placed in a part of the house where your who love to fly and climb. Kakarikis are one from their natural foraging behaviour pet kakariki will have lots of contact with people, but of the most acrobatic flyers going. Aside from when they fed on the ground as well as in ideally not in the most hectic area of your home. Keep their love of flying and climbing nothing trees and shrubs. On the ground they scratch the cage away from windows, direct sunlight, pleasures a Kakariki more than a bath in a in leaf litter, rapidly pushing it aside with draughts and not too close to heat vents or air condi- dish of water. These go-getters are a per- their feet in their search for edible tioning ducts. In a cage environment, they will need fect bird pet as they are not loud and have items. Add vitamins to the drinking water time outside the cage in a safe area to exercise. Unlike the most infectious "laugh call". twice a week. Provide cuttlebone, mineral some larger birds, Kakarikis enjoy bathing so a large blocks and oyster shell and grit. This helps enough bird-bath should be provided so they can to keep beaks trimmed down. bathe. They manage to spread water a considerable distance and are usually soaked. Kakarikis are gener- SEXING: ally said not to be the most playful with toys in their NEVER GIVE AVOCADO - THIS IS TOX- environment and enjoy more different types of perch- Both species are relatively easy to sex, with IC TO BIRDS. OTHER FOODS TO es, swings and occasionally wooden or plastic a little experience, as the head and beak of AVOID WHICH BIRDS CANNOT DI- balls. They will chew whatever they have so be aware the male is quite a lot bigger. The plumage GEST ARE RAW AND GREEN POTA- that toys may be destroyed along the way. Kakari- TOES, ALL OF THE CABBAGE FAMILY, kis make wonderful aviary birds. If you do decide to of the sexes is similar. The normal body col- our in both species is a rich dark green. The GRAPEFRUIT, LEMONS, PLUMS, RHU- put your kakarikis in a it must be very safe with noth- Red fronted has a scarlet band above the BARB AND DRIED FRUITS. ing that is potentially hazardous. Because they are so beak, whereas the Yellow-fronted has a orangy-yellow band. The beak is silvery grey, and the legs are grey. .