Kea
The kea (Nestor notabilis) is an olive-green, curious parrot of the alpine regions of New Zealand's South Island. It is known for its intelligence and mischief, and is listed as Endangered.
The kea (Nestor notabilis) is an olive-green, curious parrot of the alpine regions of New Zealand's South Island. It is known for its intelligence and mischief, and is listed as Endangered.
🧬 Field Guide Specimen: Open Kea in the CRV Science Field Guide to log the specimen, see its place among the Reptilia lineages in the Cladogram Explorer, and test your recall in the Red List conservation game.
Clever and Cheeky
Keas open backpacks, pull the rubber from car windows and solve puzzles in experiments. They cooperate to get food and are able to plan, which makes them a favorite subject for cognitive research.
Playful Learners
Young keas play with objects and with each other, and learn from watching others. This kind of curiosity is typical of animals that have to exploit unpredictable resources in harsh mountains.
Lead and Predators
Keas have been shot as pests, and are poisoned by lead from old buildings. Introduced stoats and rats prey on their nests. Conservation projects trap predators and remove lead flashing. See North Island Brown Kiwi.
Kea at a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Nestor notabilis |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Psittaciformes |
| Family | Nestoridae |
| Field Guide group | Reptilia: Aves (Birds) |
| Diagnostic feature (Field Guide) | Olive-green alpine bird with orange underwings, a long curved hooked upper beak, and two-forward/two-back toes; famously curious and problem-solving. |
| IUCN Red List status | Endangered (EN), assessed 2017 |
| Habitat | Alpine New Zealand |
See Also
- Kakapo — a flightless New Zealand parrot
- Scarlet Macaw — a South American parrot