The Kea (Nestor notabilis) is a semi-nocturnal parrot endemic to the mountains of New Zealand. The Kea is the only parrot capable of living in alpine regions. The Kea is also known as the clown of the mountains, because of its playful nature. They have a reputation for tearing the rubber sealing from cars, and the Kea has also been known as the feathered wolf because of its reputation for attacking and killing farmers' livestock (predominantly sheep). The Kea is the only species of parrot to habitually attack and kill other vertebrates, though this is generally rare and probably restricted to sick or trapped animals. They are probably one of the most active, intelligent, destructive and playful parrots, making them prone to behavioral problems and boredom in captivity if not well cared for. Both female and male Kea are alike in their dark green coloration, with lighter feathers on the breast, belly and back. Both have red plumage on the napes of their necks and underneath the wings that can be easily seen while in flight. The only visible distinction between the sexes is their mandible with the male having a larger longer curving upper mandible. Males are also slightly larger in general than females, and on average weigh 5% more, with bill length and curvature about 14% more. However, a light male can weigh less than a heavy female. Juvenile Keas have bright yellow eyelids, cere and mandible and their crown feathers have a yellowish tinge to them; fledglings typically acquire their adult plumage at around eighteen months of age, although it can take up to 4 years for juvenile keas to lose the yellow around their eyes. Keas are strong fliers, able to rise from valley bottom to the snowline in minutes. They can easily cross valleys 15-20km wide in little more than half an hour and are particularly adept at riding mountain air currents. Keas are playful in character, amusing onlookers with their acrobatics and sideways hopping antics even when simply moving forward. They prefer the ground to tree habitats. Keas typically nest in crevices under rocks, in the roots of trees, or hollow logs. Keas are typically found in flocks of ten or more, and during breeding, juveniles can be found in groups topping the hundreds. Breeding seasons typically occur between July and January. Keas lay clutches of two to four eggs per season and these are incubated by the female for around twenty-nine days. When the chicks are a month old the male Kea assists in their feeding. Keas are reported to have polygamist breeding behaviors with the male pairing up with up to 4 females. Their diet consists of leaves, buds, fruits, insects, and carrion. Keas need to obtain fats to survive the harsh alpine environment and have been known to visit local rookeries and rob the nests of their eggs or young chicks. They are reported to particularly prize the fat surrounding sheep kidneys, and stories are told of their riding sheep over cliffs to obtain these morsels.

The Kea is now a protected species, but was once hunted for a bounty paid by farmers for killing their sheep. An estimated 150,000 Keas were slaughtered during this period. In the 1970s the Kea received partial protection after a census counted only 5000 Keas. They were not fully protected until 1986, when farmers were persuaded to give up their legal right to shoot any Kea that tampered with property or livestock. In exchange, the government agreed to investigate any reports of such problem birds and have them safely removed from the land.

References

• Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is vulnerable

External links

• Kea
• ARKive - images and movies of the kea (Nestor notabilis)

Image:Kea on the Keppler Track.jpg Image:Kea bathing.jpg Image:Damp kea 2006-01-14.jpg

New Zealand birds | Parrots | Nestor

Kea (Vogel) | Kéa | Nestor notabilis | Kea (vogel) | Kea