KEA Nestor notabilis Native Apline Parrot South Island New Zealand

Short video and pics of Kea birds seen in south island nz. The Kea (Nestor notabilis) is a large species of parrot (family Strigopidae) found in forested and alpine regions of the South Island of New Zealand. Measuring around 48 cm (19 in) in length, it is mostly olive-green and has a large narrow curved grey-brown upper beak. The Kea is one of the few alpine parrots in the world. Its omnivorous diet includes carrion but consists mainly of roots, leaves, berries, nectar, and insects. Now uncommon, the Kea was once killed for bounty as it preyed on livestock, especially sheep. It only received full protection in 1986.

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.
The Kea's notorious urge to explore and manipulate, combined with strong neophilia, makes this bird a pest for residents and an attraction for tourists. Called "the clown of the mountains", it will investigate backpacks, boots or even cars, often causing damage or flying off with smaller items.

People commonly encounter wild Kea at South Island ski areas. The Kea are attracted by the prospect of food scraps. Their curiosity leads them to peck and carry away unguarded items of clothing or to pry apart rubber parts of cars—to the entertainment and annoyance of human observers. They are often described as "cheeky". A Kea has even been reported to have made off with a Scottish man's passport while he was visiting Fiordland National Park.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• KEA
• Nestor
• notabilis
• Native
• Apline
• Parrot
• South
• Island
• New
• Zealand
• Chasm
• doubtfull
• sound
• milford
• arthurs
• pass
• real
• journeys
• birds
• birdlife
• animals
• omnivore

[Xx69roadrunnerxX]

Absolutely beautiful birds!! Great photos and clips!! Top notch stuff. You can sense there intellegence just by looking at them. You look at them and wonder and they look right back and do the same thing.

I learnd suprisingly on the Discovery Channel ( you get that in NZ?) show "Wild Pacific" that the Kea have even been know to cling to sheeps backs, peck, and eat their fat during winters!!

Another NZ bird I really like is the Kakapo. What an amazing bird, a vid of one would be great.

[R580NZ]

@Xx69roadrunnerxX Yep we have discovery channel and all the rest, Cant be missing orange county choppers and ice road truckers cmon.

At one stage the govt did declare them pests for attacking sheep in the early years and many birds were culled.

[horsereadish]

What a cool bird! Love the footage! Thank you! : )

[fabiobusscar]

Beautiful Bird!

[Xx69roadrunnerxX]

@R580NZ Haha, good to know you got all the good TV down there!