The Kea
There are different kinds of parrots that we can see everywhere, with different characteristics, just like Kea. Kea is a large parrot that can be seen only in the South Island of New Zealand and it is the world’s only alpine parrot.
Male and female Kea are green and black. However, the underwings of the keas are orange-red with black and yellow stripped feathers. The Kea are large, weighing over 1kg. They are the second largest parrot in New Zealand. The beak of the kea can reach up to 5 ½ cm. They are curious and cheeky birds with a reputation for stealing food. The communication between the kea is achieved by their body and feather posture which only the Kea can understand and Kea are friendly parrots too.
Kea are restricted to the South Island of New Zealand and are scarce across their 3.5 million hectare range. They inhabit lowland areas of podocarp forest on the West Coast of the South Island, through to alpine beech forests, alpine meadows and mountain scree slopes along the length of the Southern Alps from Waitutu in the southern reaches of Fiordland to Kahurangi in the far north-west.
Keas nest on the ground. Breeding occurs in most years, but only about half of all adult females breed in any given year. Breeding occurs as early as July through until January. A kea nest takes four months to raise from a clutch of eggs to free-flying fledgelings. Kea is omnivores. They will try anything including car aerials, ice creams and fingers.
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Year 11 ESOL Willowbank Trip for Kea enclosure
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It was an exciting and educational trip. Knowing that Kea birds can be only found in New Zealand. Encountering Kea personally was a blast!