Lifespan of Kaki in captivity

Wendo · Snr Member Joined: Mar 18, 2007 Posts: 32

Hey everyone I'm a newbie and I have caught the Kaki fever.
Can someone tell me what the life span is for a Kaki in captivity. I have read so many different things and don't know what to think.I have a hand rared Kaki his name is Tiki he is 4 months old and very cute.
I will send a photo when I learn how.
Cheers!
Wendo <v>

Peterlimburg · Snr Member Joined: Sep 14, 2005 Posts: 132

I know some kaka's which are 18 Years old.
But normally I say about 10-12 years.
My oldest kaka is now 8 years old and in good healt.

Allen · Foundation Member Joined: Oct 14, 2004 Posts: 269

A lot of the old sources say kakariki only live 5 years but my oldest is ten years old. I am sure that if your bird has a good diet, lots of care, lots of excercise and entertainment, it will have a long and happy life.

There is probably no reason why a kakariki cannot live twenty years in captivity.

Nally · Member Joined: Apr 21, 2007 Posts: 7

I'm really glad to hear that kaks do live longer than five years. I had been told the same thing. At the risk of sounding thick how can you judge how old a kaka is?

Allen · Foundation Member Joined: Oct 14, 2004 Posts: 269

No sure fire way once they are older than a few months but with experience you will be able to get a feel for old birds and young birds.

Peterlimburg · Snr Member Joined: Sep 14, 2005 Posts: 132

divinity · New Member Joined: Nov 22, 2009 Posts: 1

One of kakarikis passed away today. He made it to an impressive 22 years old.

It survived loosing half it's beak and one toe after getting out, and deciding to take on an Alexandrine earlier in the year, and just kept going. Today the mixture of stress from the hot weather, and possibly a heart attack brought him to an end (though I feel bloody stupid for not noticing the temperature outside sooner and taking the cage in).

They're hardy little birds, but damn are they susceptible to heat.

Steptoe · Site Admin Joined: Oct 06, 2004 Posts: 4550

22 yrs...

The heat thing...3 or 4 yrs ago you guys had a real heat wave got thru, espec down adelade way....well up in the 40s

There are some old posts about this time regarding heat and how to sort out.
Wet floors.
We where over there around then and I saw the avairies these post talk about...Personally I dont believe it was the heat but rather the way they where laid out,(court yard around a cental 'corridor' which prevent a lot of air movement) type of roof, no over hanging trees etc to shade the roofs, and suspended flights which forced/prevented the birds from going low
Generally a lot of small factors that by themselves I dont think would have mattered.

We had a real hot summer with a run of real hot days...birds started panting....short on time, I laid a couple boards across each emnd of the avairy, then streached shade cloth leaving a air gap of about 250/300 mm.
The +ve effect could be seen in a very short time.
On the other avairies ..I ran out of shade cloth, but had a roll of silver backed building/tar paper....I rolled that out ove the roof, stabled down, silver side up and that sorted that.

The panting was not the kakariki but the kings and crimsons.

Peterlimburg · Snr Member Joined: Sep 14, 2005 Posts: 132

22 year

That is very old

pabloc · Foundation Member Joined: Sep 26, 2007 Posts: 988

Indeed, a very respectable lifespan for a kakariki.
Thanks for sharing that info!

People is many times more concerned about the winter than the summer, but I wonder sometimes what can be more dangerous.

Cheers / Pablo

lilc59 · New Member Joined: Feb 18, 2012 Posts: 2

I've had my Kakariki since 1993 and he was 1 when i got him. So he is 20 years old. Finally starting to age a little. Recently he started not talking as much but still flies around checking out everything and one for that matter =)

He is a red fronted male non breeder hope that helps. I thought they lived longer like a big parrot, but after reading most peoples experiences I'm realizing he's pretty old. Kind of makes me sad.

Steptoe · Site Admin Joined: Oct 06, 2004 Posts: 4550

pabloc · Foundation Member Joined: Sep 26, 2007 Posts: 988

20 y.o. for a kakariki is pretty amazing, the guy has not only been looked after very well, but considering how accident prone they are this fella has been extremely lucky.

You probably have a bunch of stories to share, I think we all would be keen to read them. Feel free to open a thread and tell us about your pet kakariki, I'm sure many of us will benefit.