Kākāriki

Kākāriki

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about observing physical features of birds.
Parakeets are birds that belong to the parrot family. Kākāriki means 'small green parrot'. Below are photographs of three different kākāriki that are found in New Zealand.
 
Red-crowned parakeet
Antipodes parakeet
Orange-crowned parakeet
 
Look at the photographs of the parakeets (kākāriki) and then answer the following questions.

Question 2Change answer

a)  Carefully describe three ways that these parakeets look the same.
1.
2.
3.
 

Question 2Change answer

b)  Look carefully at the photographs. Write down one way that each parakeet (kākāriki) looks different from the others.
Name of parakeet How is this parakeet different from the others
 Red-crowned parakeet
 Antipodes parakeet
Orange-crowned parakeet

Question 1Change answer

Red-crowned parakeet
 
c)  Look at the photograph above of the Red-crowned parakeet.
     Explain how the parakeet's beak would help it to survive in the wild.
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online.
Copyright: 
Red-crowned parakeet,
Photo Source: Crown copyright: DOC, J.L.Kendrick.
 
Antipodes parakeet,
Photo Source: Crown copyright: DOC, C.R.Veitch.
 
Orange-crowned parakeet,
Photo Source: Crown copyright: DOC, D.Crouchley.
 

 
Red-crowned parakeet,
Photo Source: Crown copyright: DOC, R.B.Morris.

 

Level:
3
Curriculum info: 
Science, Investigating in science, Living World
Keywords: 
evolution, native birds, parakeets, kakariki, observation
Description of task: 
Students use pictures of different types of parakeets to identify distinguishing features. NOTE: This resource needs to be used in colour.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Gather and interpret data
This resource provides opportunities to discuss focusing observations on the relevant details (in this case the physical characteristics of the birds).
 
 

 
Science capabilities: 
Gather and interpret data
Answers/responses: 

 

a)

Any 3 of:

  • Same main body colour (green).
  • Similar beak/beak shape.
  • Similar body shape.
  • Similar type of feet/claws.
  • Any other acceptable answers.

b)

Red-crowned parakeet:

  • Has a red patch above the beak.
  • Has a red patch behind the eye.

Antipodes parakeet:

  • Has an entirely green head (with no red or orange markings). 

Orange-crowned parakeet:

  • Has an orange front band above the beak.
  • Has a golden yellow crown/patch above the orange band.

NOTE: Students can gain credit for other differences that can be found in the photographs.

c)

Helps it to eat tough foods such as leaves, berries, flowers, seeds, and/or nuts.