🦜 Kakariki Care Guide

Kakarikis are lively, intelligent and extremely active parrots originating from New Zealand. They are well known for their curious personalities and spend a lot of time climbing, flying, investigating and even scratching around on the floor.

With the correct care, Kakarikis can live for around 10–15 years, sometimes longer.

This guide covers the basics you need to keep your Kakariki happy and healthy.

♂️♀️ How to Tell the Sex

Sexing Kakarikis can sometimes be possible from their appearance, particularly once they are mature, although young birds can be more difficult to sex accurately.

🦜 Males

Adult males generally have:

• A larger, broader head
• A noticeably larger and wider beak
• A heavier, more robust overall build
• A broader appearance around the head and face
• A tendency to be slightly larger than females

🦜 Females

Adult females generally have:

• A smaller, narrower head
• A noticeably smaller and finer beak
• A slimmer overall build
• A more delicate appearance around the head and face
• A tendency to be slightly smaller than males

🔍 Head & Beak Size

The head and beak are usually the most useful visual clues when comparing mature Kakarikis.

Mature males typically develop a noticeably broader head and larger, heavier beak.

Females usually have a smaller, finer beak and a narrower, more delicate-looking head.

These differences can be much easier to see when comparing two mature birds side by side.

🧬 DNA Sexing

Where a more reliable determination is required, DNA sexing can be carried out.

This is particularly useful with younger birds or individuals where the physical differences are not obvious.

⚠️ Young Kakarikis

Young Kakarikis can be difficult to sex accurately from appearance alone. Their head, beak and overall body proportions can change as they mature.

⚠️ Sexing Disclaimer

Please note that Roxy’s Pet Shop is unable to guarantee the sex of any livestock.

Where we provide a suggested sex, this is based on the bird’s visible characteristics, age and our experience at the time.

Any sex stated should therefore be treated as our best assessment and not a guarantee.

🏠 Housing & Cage

Kakarikis are very active birds and require plenty of space.

For a single Kakariki, we recommend a cage of at least around 80cm wide × 50cm deep × 80cm high, although bigger is always better. A compatible pair will require additional space.

Width and usable flight space are particularly important.

Cage setup should include:

• Natural wooden perches of different thicknesses

• Food and water bowls

• Swings and climbing opportunities

• Chewing and shredding toys

• Foraging toys

• A calcium/mineral source

• A suitable cage liner that can be changed regularly

Don't overcrowd the cage with toys. Your Kakariki should have plenty of clear space to climb, move around and stretch its wings.

Kakarikis also spend considerably more time exploring the bottom of their enclosure than many other parrots, so keeping this area clean is especially important.

Position the cage in a bright, comfortable area where your bird can be involved in household activity, but away from draughts, radiators, kitchens and intense direct sunlight.

🦜 One Kakariki or Two?

Kakarikis are social birds.

A single Kakariki can be kept successfully when it receives plenty of daily attention, interaction and enrichment from its owner.

A compatible pair can provide each other with companionship, particularly when their owners are away during the day.

Never assume that two unfamiliar birds will automatically get along. Introductions should be carried out carefully and the birds monitored for aggression.

❤️ Behaviour & Personality

Kakarikis are known for being busy little parrots.

They are often:

• Extremely active

• Curious

• Playful

• Intelligent

• Confident

• Inquisitive

• Excellent climbers

• Constantly exploring

A Kakariki that appears to be into absolutely everything is usually behaving like a Kakariki!

They often investigate the floor, corners, bowls, toys and anything new placed in their environment.

Because of their curiosity, making their environment safe is particularly important.

🌾 Feeding Your Kakariki

A varied and balanced diet is essential.

A suitable diet can include:

• A quality Kakariki/small parrot seed mixture or suitable formulated diet

• Fresh vegetables and leafy greens

• Small amounts of suitable fruit

• Fresh drinking water every day

• A calcium/mineral source

Suitable vegetables can include broccoli, carrot, peppers, peas, sweetcorn and suitable leafy greens.

Suitable fruit can include berries, melon and apple with the seeds removed.

Kakarikis often enjoy fresh foods and may enthusiastically investigate new things.

Introduce unfamiliar foods gradually and provide plenty of variety.

❌ Foods to Avoid

Never give your Kakariki:

• Avocado

• Chocolate

• Alcohol

• Caffeine

• Foods containing xylitol

• Apple seeds

• Fruit stones/pits

• Very salty foods

• Very sugary foods

• Highly processed human foods

Fresh food should be removed after a few hours so it doesn't spoil.

💧 Water

Fresh, clean drinking water must be available at all times.

Water should be checked and refreshed every day, and drinking containers should be cleaned regularly.

Kakarikis can be messy birds and may put food or other material into their water, so check it throughout the day where possible.

🧸 Toys & Enrichment

Kakarikis need plenty of stimulation.

Suitable enrichment includes:

• Foraging toys

• Chewing toys

• Shredding toys

• Swings

• Climbing toys

• Natural branches

• Bird-safe bells

• Puzzle toys

• Safe opportunities to search for food

Foraging is particularly good enrichment for Kakarikis.

Rather than always placing every treat directly into a bowl, suitable treats can occasionally be hidden in bird-safe foraging toys so the bird has to search for them.

Rotate toys regularly to maintain interest.

Always check toys for damage, loose threads or anything capable of trapping a foot, head or beak.

🪽 Exercise & Flying

Kakarikis have high exercise requirements.

Where safe and practical, tame birds should have regular supervised time outside their cage in a secure room.

Before letting your Kakariki out:

• Close all windows and external doors

• Turn off ceiling fans

• Make large windows and mirrors obvious

• Keep other pets safely away

• Remove access to open water

• Remove hot objects and other hazards

• Check small gaps and spaces the bird could investigate

Kakarikis are extremely curious and may explore places that other parrots ignore.

Never allow a Kakariki to fly freely outdoors unless it is contained within a properly secured aviary.

🛁 Bathing

Many Kakarikis love water.

Offer a shallow bird bath regularly. Some will bathe enthusiastically and may make quite a mess!

Clean water can also be used for gentle misting if your bird enjoys it.

Bathing helps with normal feather maintenance and can be particularly useful during moulting.

Never force a bird to bathe.

🧹 Cleaning

Kakarikis can be messy because of their active nature and tendency to investigate the floor.

Every day:

• Change drinking water

• Remove spoiled fresh food

• Check food bowls

• Remove heavily soiled areas

• Check the bottom of the cage

Regularly:

• Change the cage liner

• Wash food and water containers

• Clean the bird bath

• Clean perches

• Clean toys

• Thoroughly clean the cage

Always use a bird-safe cleaning product and rinse appropriately.

😴 Sleep

Kakarikis need approximately 10–12 hours of quiet, uninterrupted sleep each night.

Provide a calm and dark environment at bedtime.

A cage cover can be used where appropriate, provided there is good ventilation and your bird is comfortable with it.

🪶 Moulting

Kakarikis naturally replace old feathers through moulting.

During a normal moult you may notice:

• More feathers around the cage

• New pin feathers

• Increased preening

• Temporary changes in appearance

• Slightly reduced activity

Provide a balanced diet, bathing opportunities and plenty of rest.

A normal moult should not result in large bald areas.

Significant feather loss, damaged skin or feather-plucking should be investigated.

🤝 Taming & Handling

Kakarikis can become very friendly and confident around people.

However, they are often too busy exploring to sit still for long periods.

Give a new bird time to settle before beginning regular handling.

Start by:

• Talking calmly near the cage

• Offering favourite treats

• Encouraging the bird to approach your hand

• Teaching a simple "step up"

• Rewarding calm behaviour

Never chase your Kakariki around its cage or repeatedly grab it to make it interact with you.

Trust develops through patience and positive experiences.

🗣️ Noise & Talking

Kakarikis are generally not among the loudest parrots, but they certainly aren't silent.

They make a range of chatter, calls and distinctive noises throughout the day.

Some individuals may learn a few words or sounds, but they should not be purchased purely for their ability to talk.

Their active, inquisitive personality is their main attraction.

🪺 Nesting & Breeding

If you don't intend to breed your Kakarikis, there is generally no need to provide a nest box.

Providing enclosed nesting areas can encourage breeding and hormonal behaviour.

If you intend to breed Kakarikis, research their requirements thoroughly beforehand.

Breeding birds require suitable accommodation, additional nutritional support and careful monitoring.

🩺 Health

Birds are very good at hiding signs of illness.

A healthy Kakariki should generally be:

• Bright and alert

• Very active

• Curious

• Eating and drinking normally

• Well feathered

• Clean around the eyes and nostrils

• Interested in its surroundings

Because Kakarikis are normally so active, a noticeable reduction in activity can be particularly important.

⚠️ Signs to Watch For

Contact an avian or bird-experienced vet if you notice:

• Sitting fluffed up for prolonged periods

• Unusual inactivity or weakness

• Staying on the cage floor without normal exploration

• Reduced appetite

• Significant changes in drinking

• Changes in droppings

• Breathing difficulties

• Tail bobbing while breathing

• Discharge around the eyes or nostrils

• Vomiting

• Loss of balance

• Sudden weight loss

• Significant feather loss

• A major change in normal behaviour

Birds can deteriorate quickly, so don't delay seeking veterinary advice if your Kakariki appears genuinely unwell.

⚖️ Monitoring Weight

Regular weighing is a useful way to monitor your bird's health.

Use accurate gram scales and try to weigh your Kakariki under similar conditions each time.

Keep a simple record so gradual changes are easier to notice.

A sudden or continuing change in weight should be investigated.

🌡️ Keeping Your Kakariki Comfortable

Keep your Kakariki in a stable indoor environment without sudden temperature changes.

Avoid positioning the cage next to:

• Open windows

• Frequently opened exterior doors

• Air-conditioning units

• Radiators

• Fires

• Areas of intense direct sunlight

Good ventilation is important, but avoid constant cold draughts.

⚠️ Household Dangers

Birds have extremely sensitive respiratory systems.

Keep your Kakariki away from:

• Cigarette and vape smoke

• Aerosol sprays

• Air fresheners

• Strong cleaning fumes

• Paint and solvent fumes

• Scented candles

• Heavy fragrances

Also remember that Kakarikis are exceptionally curious. Watch for open toilets, sinks, gaps behind furniture, exposed wires, houseplants and small spaces they may investigate.

🍳 Important – Kitchens & Non-Stick Cookware

We strongly recommend not keeping your Kakariki in the kitchen.

Cooking presents numerous hazards including hot pans, boiling water, steam, smoke and food hazards.

Of particular concern are fumes produced when certain PTFE/non-stick coated products are overheated. These fumes can be extremely dangerous and potentially fatal to birds.

🐦 Bringing Your New Kakariki Home

Moving to a new home can be stressful.

For the first few days:

• Keep the environment calm

• Avoid excessive handling

• Make sure your bird can easily find food and water

• Talk quietly around the cage

• Avoid repeatedly moving the cage

• Give your bird plenty of rest

• Introduce handling gradually

It's normal for a new Kakariki to initially be quieter or more nervous than expected.

Once settled, their naturally curious personality will often start to show.

❤️ The Most Important Things to Remember

A happy Kakariki needs plenty of space, a varied diet, fresh water, exercise, companionship, bathing opportunities, toys, foraging activities, good hygiene and lots of mental stimulation.

Above all, remember that these are extremely active and inquisitive parrots. They need an environment that allows them to climb, fly, forage and explore safely.

With the correct care and attention, Kakarikis can be fantastic, entertaining companions full of character.

🦜 Roxy's Pet Shop

Need help with your Kakariki?

Whether you're choosing a cage, food, toys, perches or simply have a question about your bird, please ask us. No question is too small or silly – we'd much rather you ask.

Roxy's Pet Shop
Bloxwich High Street, WS3 3LA
☎️ 01922 492521
🌐 roxyspetshop.co.uk

This care guide provides general husbandry information and does not replace veterinary advice. If you are concerned about your bird's health, contact a qualified avian or bird-experienced veterinary professional.