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Orange-fronted Parakeet  

Also Known As: Orange-fronted Kakariki
 
MAIN_orange_fronted_parakeet

Orange-fronted Parakeet (Cyanoramphus malherbi) perched. 

Credit: (c) Jack van Hal | New Zealand Department of Conservation
 
photos Photos videoVideo 1
 
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Did You Know?
Controversy exists on whether the Orange-fronted Parakeet (Kakariki) is a colour morph of Cyanoramphus auriceps or a distinct species.

Species Profile
Genus:
Cyanoramphus

Species:
malherbi

Size: Adult Weight:
20cm (7.8 in) Male: 45-55g Female: 38-50g

Races including nominate:
one

Colourization Adult: Both adults: mainly bright green body; orange frontal band from eye to eye; lemon/yellow crown; orange patch on each side of rump; outer webs of flight feathers purple/blue. Bill blue/grey tipped with black, with black cutting edge. Eye red.

Colourization Juvenile: As in adults but with frontal band lighter and more indistinct; lemon yellow crown is less extensive and paler; shorter tail for several weeks after fledging. Bill pale pink colour which gradually darkens. Darker red/brown eyes.

Call: As in Yellow-fronted Parakeet (Cyanoramphus auriceps). a repetitive note ki-ki-ki-ki, often slightly higher in pitch and more rapid than in Yellow-crowned Parakeet.

Recent Academic Research: Google Scholar - search results

 

Content Sources:

Lexicon of Parrots http://www.arndt-verlag.com/projekt/birds_3.cgi?Desc=E138.htm&Pic=138_1.JPG

Internet Bird Collection http://ibc.hbw.com/ibc/

BirdLife International http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=9815&m=0

CITES http://www.cites.org/eng/resources/species.html

Jack van Hal, Canterbury Conservancy, New Zealand Dept. of Conservation, pers. comm.

Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World, Juniper and Parr, 1998.

Parrots: Status Survey and Conservation Plan 2000-2004, Snyder, McGowan, Gilardi and Grajal, 2000.

Parrots of the World, Forshaw and Cooper, 1977.

Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006.

Parrots: Their Care and Breeding, Low, 1986.

Parrots in Aviculture, Low, 1992.