Kakariki (Red-crowned Parakeet)
Busy, curious, and fun to watch. Kakariki (Red-crowned Parakeet) does best with space to move, daily enrichment, and gentle, consistent handling.
size
Small
energy
High
noise
Medium
lifespan
10 to 15 years
socialNeeds
Medium to High
messLevel
Medium
trainability
Medium
talking
Rare
aloneTimeTolerance
Low to Medium
space
Large cage for size plus regular out time
Best for
- People who want an active small bird
- Owners who can provide daily enrichment and safe out time
- Homes that enjoy a curious, busy personality
- Owners willing to learn gentle handling
Not ideal for
- Very busy schedules with long stretches of alone time
- Homes that need very quiet pets
- Anyone not comfortable with routine cleaning
Temperament
- Energetic and curious
- Often more of an explorer than a cuddler
- Can be skittish without gentle handling
- Improves with patient, consistent interaction
Daily routine
diet: Fresh water daily. Quality pellets plus vegetables, with treats used in moderation.
enrichment: Rotate toys, add foraging opportunities, and use short training sessions for mental work.
outOfCageTime: Aim for supervised out-of-cage time most days once the environment is safe.
cleaning: Spot-clean daily, deeper clean weekly (liners, perches, and food bowls).
Living fit
apartment: Possible if you can manage noise and keep a stable routine.
family: Can work with gentle, supervised handling and consistent routines.
firstTimeOwner: Possible for prepared first-time owners who commit to daily interaction and enrichment.
Health notes
- Birds hide illness. Watch for fluffed feathers, low appetite, changes in droppings, or reduced activity.
- Maintain bird-safe air quality. Avoid PTFE/Teflon fumes, smoke, aerosols, and scented candles.
- Find an avian vet for baseline checks and advice on diet and environment.
Cost and time
time: Moderate. Daily care plus regular interaction and enrichment.
cost: Moderate. Upfront cage setup plus ongoing food, toys, and avian vet care.
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