Nestor notabilis
The Kea (Nestor notabilis) is a large, highly intelligent parrot endemic to New Zealand's South Island, renowned as the world's only alpine parrot. Averaging 48 cm (19 in) in length and weighing between 800-1000g (1.7-2.2 lbs), it is predominantly olive-green, with a distinctive long, curved grey-brown upper mandible. Its most striking field mark, visible in flight, is a flash of brilliant orange and scarlet on the underwing coverts, contrasting with dark flight feathers. Taxonomically, it be...
Primarily found in high-altitude montane forests, subalpine scrublands, and alpine grasslands of New Zealand's South Island, typically above 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) elevation.
An opportunistic omnivore, the Kea's diet includes a wide array of seeds, fruits, berries, nectar, roots, shoots, insects, grubs, and carrion. It frequently forages by digging, probing, and scavenging.
Kea are highly social and diurnal, often foraging in groups during the day and roosting communally in rock crevices or tree cavities at night. Their foraging strategies are remarkably diverse; they are opportunistic omnivores, using their powerful bills and feet to probe, dig for roots and insect...
The Kea is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand, with its distribution centered primarily on the Southern Alps and the surrounding montane and subalpine regions. Its stronghold extends across the major national parks of the island, including Fiordland, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Westland Tai Poutin...
Endangered
- The Kea is the world's only alpine parrot, thriving in harsh mountain environments. - Renowned for its intelligence, the Kea has been observed solving complex puzzles and using tools. - Their insatiable curiosity often leads them to dismantle cars, backpacks, and other human possessions. - Hist...