The Conservation Department is warning people not mix up their parrots and harm the protected native kaka, when their target is an Australian intruder.
Australian eastern rosellas have been damaging crops in the Bay of Plenty and farmers are taking steps to control them.
Kaka have also been sighted inthe Tauranga area, as they hunt for food around orchards and towns during the leaner winter months.
"We are fortunate that so many of these rare parrots are still resident in the Bay of Plenty," Tauranga conservation worker Kirby Weis said.
So far no kaka has been harmed, she said.
But Environment Bay of Plenty pest animal co-ordinator David Mooresaid people should make sure which bird they were looking at before they took pest-control measures.
"We don't want people to get confused. If you want to control eastern rosellas, please make sure you have positively identified them first."
The eastern rosella carries diseases that are a threat to native parrots and are classified as a pest by Environment Bay of Plenty.
Anyone caught injuring or killing a kaka is likely to be prosecuted.
Eastern rosellas: Very brightly coloured, with a red head and breast. About 30cm long.
Kaka: About 45cm long and have brown/green feathers, with flashes of orange and scarlet under their wings.
