Antipodes Island Parakeet

Antipodes Island parakeet is a large, uniformly green, ground-foraging parrot confined to the Antipodes Islands. Its plain green head and heavy body separate it from the smaller Reischek’s parakeet, which has a bright red crown.

It occurs only on Antipodes Island and nearby Bollons Island in the remote subantarctic group. Birds walk through tussock for leaves and seeds and also scavenge seabird carcasses or kill small petrels; nests are tunnels beneath vegetation.

Antipodes Island parakeet is At Risk — Naturally Uncommon (NZ Threat Classification). Introduction of rats, cats or other mammals is the greatest potential threat. The Antipodes Islands are a strict nature reserve with no routine public landings; sightings are limited to authorised expeditions.