Kea

Other name: New Zealand Mountain Parrot.

Nestor notabilis.

Kea are the only alpine parrot, and are one of the most intelligent birds in the world. Named for their loud call that sounds like ‘Kee-Ah.’

A very mischievous bird, this is the parrot which is known to damage parked cars (and any other property that has been left out in their home territory of the South Island) with their very strong beaks.

Kea numbers in the wild could be as low as 1,000 to 5,000 birds, compared to tens of thousands of kiwi birds.

They were hunted from 1860 to 1971 due to a government bounty as farmers believed kea were attacking sheep, which a few opportunistic birds may do. Around 150,000 were killed before full protection in 1986.  Sadly, some kea are still being intentionally killed today.

Found: Only in New Zealand’s South Island.

Conservation status: At risk – nationally endangered.

Threats: Some of their main threats are being hit by cars on South Island roads, predation by introduced pests such as possums and stoats, and reduced availability of natural foods.

How to help Kea: If you spot kea in the South Island, be sure not to feed them, no matter how cute they seem. Close your vehicle’s doors and windows and keep a close eye out in carparks so that you don’t run them over.

Find out more about them on the Kea Conservation Trust website.