Kea

For other uses, see Kea (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Kia.

Kea
An adult kea in Fiordland
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Strigopidae
Genus: Nestor
Species:
N. notabilis
Binomial name
Nestor notabilis
Gould, 1856
Range in green

The kea (/ˈkiːə/ KEE-ə; Māori: [kɛ.a]; Nestor notabilis) is a species of large parrot in the family Strigopidae[3] that is endemic to the forested and alpine regions of the South Island of New Zealand.[4] About 48 cm (19 in) long, it is mostly olive-green, with brilliant orange under its wings and has a large, narrow, curved, grey-brown upper beak. Its omnivorous diet consists mainly of roots, leaves, berries, nectar, and insects, but also includes carrion.[5] It was once killed for bounty due to concern by sheep-farmers that it attacked livestock, especially sheep.[6] The kea is now uncommon, and received absolute protection under the Wildlife Act in 1986.[7]

The kea nests in burrows or crevices among the roots of trees. Kea are known for their intelligence and curiosity, both vital to their survival in a harsh mountain environment. Kea can solve logical puzzles, such as pushing and pulling things in a certain order to get to food, and will work together to achieve a certain objective.[8] They have been filmed preparing and using tools.[9]

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2017). "Nestor notabilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T22684831A119243358. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22684831A119243358.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  3. ^ Joseph, Leo; et al. (2012). "A revised nomenclature and classification for family-group taxa of parrots (Psittaciformes)" (PDF). Zootaxa. 3205: 26–40. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3205.1.2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 October 2022.
  4. ^ "Kea". www.doc.govt.nz. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Benham was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ keaconservation.co.nz Archived 9 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine: Kea Conservation Status.
  7. ^ Lindsey, T., Morris, R. (2000) Field Guide To New Zealand Wildlife. Auckland: Harper Collins. (ISBN 1-86950-300-7)
  8. ^ nhnz.tv, Kea – Mountain Parrot, NHNZ, one hour documentary (1993).
  9. ^ O'Connor, Sarah-Jane (24 August 2014). "Sticky beak is New Zealand's tooled-up kea". Stuff. Retrieved 18 December 2023.