Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Aves
Order:
Psittaciformes
Superfamily:
Psittacoidea
Family:
Psittaculidae
Subfamily:
Platycercinae
Tribe:
Platycercini
Genus:
Cyanoramphus
Species:
C. unicolor
Binomial name
Cyanoramphus unicolor
Antipodes island parakeet biology
The tussock and sedges are
not only used for nesting sites, but also constitute the bulk of the diet,
supplemented with seeds, berries and flowers. In addition, the Antipodes island
parakeet will occasionally scavenge on carcasses and eggs of penguins and
petrels. Breeding occurs from October to January and, in captivity, clutch-size
is between five and six, but only one to three fledged young are normally seen
with adults in the wild. Young are thought to start breeding at one year, and
two individuals have been recorded to reach at least 10 years of age, indicating
that these birds may be fairly long-lived.
Antipodes island parakeet range
Endemic to the Antipodes, New Zealand.
Common on the main island and Bollons Island, and found in small numbers on
Leeward, Inner Windward and Archway islets
Antipodes island parakeet habitat
Occupies a variety of
habitats on the islands, but most common in the tall, tussock grassland and
sedges, especially on coastal slopes and along water courses. Nesting typically
takes place in underground burrows, dug into the base of tussock or sedge
Antipodes island parakeet status
Classified as Vulnerable (VU
D2) on the IUCN Red List 2004 and listed on Appendix II of CITES
Antipodes island parakeet threats
In 1978, the total population
of these birds was estimated at 2,000 to 3,000 birds and, although population
trends are unknown, numbers are thought likely to be stable. Whilst there
appears to be no immediate danger to this relatively common bird, its
restricted range means that it will always be vulnerable to catastrophic loss,
most likely by the accidental introduction of carnivores to the small
predator-free islands, which could decimate current populations. The fear is
that fishing boats or other passing vessels could introduce predators such as
rats (Rattus spp.), cats and mustelids (Mustela spp.), or mice that
may compete for food. Although such introductions were once thought unlikely
due to the islands’ isolated location, increased fishing pressure in waters
around the Antipodes has greatly increased the chance of such a potentially
devastating possibility.
Antipodes island parakeet conservation
The Antipodes island parakeet
is totally protected under the Wildlife Act 1953. The islands are uninhabited
and protected, being nature reserves with landing strictly by permit only. New
Zealand’s wildlife service removed approximately 11 of these birds from the
islands in the 1970s and 1980s to launch a captive breeding programme that
would safeguard the species from total extinction. There are currently more
than 100 Antipodes Island parakeets in captivity, and the species appears to
breed well. However, the release of six birds on Stephens Island in 1985 was
unsuccessful. In 1907, 12 birds were released on Kapati Island and survived for
around 20 years, but today this species no longer exists there. Thus, further
reintroductions into the wild are a possibility for the future, if the recipe
for establishing a successful population can be determined. Nevertheless, current
populations of the Antipodes island parakeet appear stable, and will hopefully
remain that way provided their remote island haven remains protected from human
interference.
