Identification
A small, green, long-tailed parakeet endemic to New Zealand. Note the distinct lemon-yellow crown and the thin orange band extending from the base of the beak to each red eye. Juveniles are a duller color and their orange band and crown may be absent. A critically endangered bird now restricted to three beech forest valleys in inland Canterbury and several offshore island sanctuaries. Usually very quiet and challenging to see. Listen for its loud, brief chatter call to give away its location. When pairs are together, softer contact calls can be heard. Forms small flocks in autumn and winter. Smaller size and lack of crimson frontal band and rump patches distinguish Malherbe’s from Yellow-crowned Parakeet. Juvenile Yellow-crowned Parakeet can confuse identification, and calls of the two species can be challenging to differentiate.