The Red fronted Kakariki can make a very interesting pet, these active parakeets love to play and are always on the go.  Commonly hand-reared cock birds make the best pets for a number of reasons. The cocks can mimic, having the ability to learn phrases, nursery rhymes etc. This is very unusual in such small parakeets. This of course makes them desirable as a pet since they are very much more affordable than even a small parrot.

 

They need a cage similar in size to a cockatiel. These parakeets like to get into their food dish and kick their food about there fore it is advisable to place the food in a container with sides rising 70cm, onto the floor of the cage. Kakarikis have the parrot-like characteristic of picking larger items of food up with one foot to eat. They are extremely active and will often run round and round their cages. They like to come out to fly but they will also take a few tickles and some petting if they have been hand-reared.m a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you.

The Kakariki

Kakarikis are native to New Zealand. Their lifespan is generally fifteen years. They are a highly energetic and fun loving bird, full of curiosity. They love to hide and are the best at finding hidey-holes. Just watch those little eyes light up when you open a closet! There is no controlling the curiosity of this bird.

Along with their sense of curiosity comes their love to fly and climb. Kakarikis are one of the most acrobatic flyers going. They love to fly! They can head straight for the wall and within inches of it summersault and come returning right back at you. It is not rare to see them dive under tables, through legs, high, low, up, down and all around...they can do it all. They are wondrous to watch!  If you choose to let your Kakariki fly be sure to provide a safe place. Be wary of open doors and windows and shut off all ceiling fans. Supervision is always necessary! As for their love of climbing these birds need lots of climbing room, therefore, a very large cage with bars across the top and climbing ladders is essential. They love climbing from one perch to the next.

Aside from their love of flying and climbing nothing pleasures a Kak more than a bath in a dish of water. They will get downright soaked. Be sure not to have the bath session too late in the evening. Kaks are very downy underneath. Although they may look dry on the surface they are not dry underneath, therefore need more than ample time to dry off before the evening cools down.

 

These go-getters are a perfect apartment pet as they are not loud and have the most infectious "laugh call". You cannot help but be happy with a Kakariki about. One word of caution; be sure to keep any valuable books or documents out of their reach. Paper can be transformed to instant confetti within minutes so watch them around your bookshelves.

Due to being a highly energized bird they eat LOTS! One could even go as far as affectionately calling them "garbage cans" of the bird world. If it is edible, they will eat it. Provide a good supply of fresh fruits and veggies, whole grain breads and pastas as well as pelleted food and seed.

"Kaks", as they are lovingly referred to, are not too fond of being handled. Don't get me wrong! They enjoy being with you but they would prefer not to be cuddled. So if you are desperately seeking physical affection from your new pet it would be best to skip the Kakariki.

Written By: Deb Brown

 

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