New Zealand kaka

New Zealand Kaka
Scientific classification
Kingdom Information
Domain	Eukaryota
Kingdom	Animalia
Subkingdom	Bilateria
Branch	Deuterostomia
Phylum Information
Phylum	Chordata
Sub-phylum	Vertebrata
Infraphylum	Gnathostomata
Class Information
Superclass	Tetrapoda
Class	Aves
Sub-class	Neornithes
Infra-class	Neoaves
Order Information
Superorder	Psittacimorphae
Order	Psittaciformes
Family Information
Superfamily	Strigopoidea
Family	Strigopidae
Tribe Information
Tribe	Nestorini
Genus Information
Genus	Nestor
Species Information
Species	N. meridionalis
Subspecies	N. meridionalis meridionalis N. meridionalis septentrionalis
Population statistics
Population	2,500-9,999(2016 est.)
Conservation status	Endangered

The New Zealand kaka (Nestor meridionalis) is a species of parrot of the family Strigopidae, and found on both main islands of New Zealand. The name kākā ("parrot") comes from the language of the original Māori inhabitants.

Description

The kaka is medium-sized, about 18 inches in length, and weighs 14 to 20 ounces. Females are slightly larger than males. The color of the plumage is predominantly brown on the neck, back, chest and top of the wings. The belly and a band between the neck and back are a dark-reddish in color, with the underwing coverts a brighter red. The forehead and the top of the head are gray with white flashes, and the sides of the head are a mix of grey, dull red, and orange. The upper beak is slightly longer as compared to other parrot species, and deeply-curved.

Subspecies

• Nestor meridionalis meridionalis; New Zealand: South Island
• Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis; New Zealand: North Island

Range and habitat

It inhabits low to mid-altitude forests of New Zealand: in summer at elevations of 1,350 to 2,550 feet, and in winter they occur from the flat coastal areas to the heights of 1,700 feet. They are occasionally observed at elevations of up to 4,500 feet, as well as in gardens and parks.