The short answer is no, there are no naturally occurring parakeet species in New Zealand. However, some parakeet species have been introduced to New Zealand through the pet trade and accidental escapes. The most common parakeet species found in New Zealand today is the monk parakeet, also known as the Quaker parakeet.
Native parrot species in New Zealand
While there are no native parakeet species, New Zealand does have a diverse range of native parrot species. Some of the most notable include:
- Kākāpō – A large, flightless, nocturnal parrot. It is also the world’s only flightless parrot.
- Kea – A large olive-green parrot found in alpine regions of the South Island.
- Kākā – A mid-sized forest-dwelling parrot.
- Red-crowned parakeet – One of two parakeet species native to New Zealand.
- Yellow-crowned parakeet – The other native New Zealand parakeet species.
These and several other smaller parrot species comprise New Zealand’s diverse native parrot fauna. They occupy various habitats across the country from alpine areas to native forests.
Introduced parakeet species in New Zealand
While there are no native parakeet species, several foreign parakeet species have been introduced to New Zealand over the years, both deliberately and accidentally.
The most widespread introduced parakeet is the monk parakeet. Also known as the Quaker parakeet, this South American species was first brought to New Zealand in the 1970s for the pet trade. Many escaped or were released, and the monk parakeet has established sizeable wild populations, mainly in Auckland and Northland.
Other parakeet species that have been recorded in the wild in New Zealand include:
- Budgerigar – Originally from Australia, feral populations established but died out by the 1990s.
- Alexandrine parakeet – Native to Asia, a small population exists in Auckland.
- Indian ringneck parakeet – Native to Africa and Asia, a few sightings reported in Wellington.
- Crimson rosella – An Australian species, a small feral population exists in Northland.
While most introduced parakeets have not formed significant wild populations, the monk parakeet is well-established, especially around Auckland. They compete with native species for nest sites and are considered an invasive pest species.
Reasons for the lack of native parakeet species
There are a few key reasons why New Zealand lacks native parakeet species while having many other types of endemic parrots:
- New Zealand broke away from the supercontinent Gondwana around 80 million years ago. At the time, parakeets had not yet evolved. Parakeets originated in Australia around 5 million years ago, long after New Zealand was isolated.
- New Zealand’s nectar-feeding niches are filled by two endemic honeyeater species (tui and bellbird) which occupy the same ecological role as parakeets in Australia.
- Competition from New Zealand’s dense and diverse parrot assemblage of kākā, kea, kākāriki, and kākāpō may have prevented parakeet species from establishing.
So in summary, New Zealand’s long isolation and pre-existing bird fauna prevented parakeets from naturally colonizing the islands from Australia or evolving endemic species as they did across the Tasman Sea.
Could parakeets establish future wild populations?
Looking to the future, could any parakeet species potentially form significant wild populations in New Zealand?
The monk parakeet is already well on its way, so it seems likely its numbers and range will continue expanding. Other species like the Alexandrine parakeet may follow suit if more are introduced and escape captivity.
However, New Zealand’s chilly wet winters may limit the ability of tropical and sub-tropical parakeet species to proliferate. Budgerigars for example seem to have died out since escaping captivity in the past.
Preventing further releases and escapes is the key to limiting additional parakeet species from establishing in the wild. Ongoing control and monitoring of existing monk parakeet populations is also warranted to minimize their impacts and spread.
With climate change warming parts of New Zealand in future, conditions may become more favorable for introduced parakeets to spread. But native biodiversity and ecosystems will likely suffer as a result.
Conclusion
In summary, New Zealand has no native parakeet species but several foreign parakeets have been introduced and escaped captivity. Of these, only the monk parakeet has established significant wild populations so far. While we may see more parakeet species in New Zealand’s forests and parks in future, this will come at a cost to native biodiversity if left unchecked. Preventing further releases is key to limiting their numbers and spread.