EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Rare Parakeet 
at the End of the Earth

Antipodes Island Parakeet (Cyanoramphus unicolor)

What makes this parakeet special is that it is endemic to Antipodes Island -- it is found nowhere else in the world.  Although a strong flyer, this bird remains isolated on its remote island home.  Antipodes Island occurs south of the tropical convergence zone, and thus in sub-Antarctic climate.  The island has steep seaward slopes that rise to a central plateau, and is clothed in tussock grass with prickly-ferns (Polystichum) and scattered small Coprosma trees.  

Most parakeets are secondary or natural cavity-nesters, choosing to nest in tree cavities.  Antipodes Island has few trees, no primary cavity-excavator birds to make the cavities, and few natural tree cavities ... so this enterprising parakeet nests in holes in the ground or within the bases of taller tussocks that provide cover.  Such is life on a distant island with few resources. 

Also found on Antipodes Island is the Red-crowned Parakeet of the same genus.  Somehow they coexist.  One account has the Antipodes Island Parakeet feeding on skins, carcasses, and eggs of penguins killed by skuas (predatory seabirds), as well as leaves, and the more typical parakeet diet of seeds and berries, whereas the Red-crowned Parakeet feeds only on leaves, seeds, flowers, berries, and invertebrates.  It seems that the skuas and penguins make the difference for coexistence for the two parakeets.