The Antipodes parakeet or Antipodes Island parakeet (Cyanoramphus unicolor) is a parrot in the family Psittaculidae that is endemic to the Antipodes Islands of New Zealand. It is one of two parrot species found on the islands, and one of only five ground-dwelling parrots in the world. They are long-living birds that may live up to 10 years of age, but the introduction of mice that compete with them for food was a threat to their survival on the Antipodes Islands until the mice were successfully eradicated from the Islands in 2016 (confirmed 2018).[3] Unusually for parrots, they sometimes prey upon other birds, a trait shared by another New Zealand parrot, the kea.
It is the largest species in the genusCyanoramphus at 30 cm (12 in) long.[7] and makes a penetrating kok-kok-kok-kok noise.
Illustration of Antipodes Parakeet by Edward Lear (1812–1888).
Distribution and habitat
The Antipodes parakeet is endemic to the Antipodes Islands of New Zealand. They are common on the main Antipodes Island, but are less common on smaller islands in the group such as Bollons Island. They live in very small numbers on Leeward Island, where they only live in a 0.1 square kilometres (0.039 sq mi) region of the island. The Antipodes parakeet also live on the 0.1 square kilometres (0.039 sq mi) Archway Island as well.
Behaviour and ecology
These parakeets eat leaves, buds, grass, and tussock stalks, as well as sometimes feeding on seeds and flowers, and will scavenge dead seabirds. The Antipodes parakeet also preys on grey-backed storm petrels, entering burrows to kill incubating adults, even digging at the entrance if it is too small.[8]
Antipodes parakeets spend much of their time on the ground and in very small groups, in pairs or solitary.
They are quite inquisitive, territorial, probing and mischievous.[9]
Their nest is in a tunnel 2 metres beneath the fibrous peat away from the wind.[10]
Status
The population is stable but conservation status is Vulnerable. The population is 2,000-3,000.[1]
Originally entirely restricted to the islands that bear their name there is now a small captive population, founded with less than 20 individuals, on the mainland.
