Where to see Kea in New Zealand needs to be on your list of questions when visiting this remarkable country. Read on to discover what’s so amazing about these unique birds:
Introducing…
Meet the Kea, New Zealand’s cheeky alpine parrot. Found in the mountainous regions of New Zealand’s south island, these wee characters are well worth a visit. Not least because they are the only species of alpine parrot in the entire world, setting them apart from their jungle-dwelling cousins. Famous for their glossy brown plumage with hints of green and a red flash under the wing, they are also known for stealing snacks and various items of clothing from hikers, hence “cheeky”.
What makes them so special?
Don’t be fooled by their clown-like antics. (They love to land on your car and chew at the rubber linings of the doors). They’re actually supremely intelligent – one of the most intelligent of all birds in fact. Kea are also very loving and mate for life. The male helps the female look after their hatchings by bringing food back to the nest. Scientists watching kea solve puzzles have observed that they work in teams to reach their goals.
Are they endangered?
Unfortunately their boisterous personalities got them into trouble with farmers back in the day. Adult kea were known to swoop down and attack sheep. So quite a few (150 thousand) of these beautiful birds were shot between 1860 and 1970. Kea and their eggs are also vulnerable to attacks by invasive predators such as stoats and possums. Thankfully kea are now protected. Their numbers are on the up, due to the hard work of the NZ Department of Conservation.
Where to see Kea in New Zealand
The kea can only be found in New Zealand, in the mountains and forests of the south island. The easiest place to spot them is the Otira Viaduct Lookout in Arthur’s Pass. They can also be seen down in Fiordland and Otago, especially on great walks such as the Kepler Track and on the way to Milford Sound.
Just watch out for your snacks…
(On a serious note – NEVER feed kea. It’s bad for them and they’re better off finding their own natural food such as bugs and larvae – yum!).
Love birds? Why not visit Zealandia in Wellington and see the kea’s cousin, the New Zealand kākā.
Read my other posts about New Zealand here.
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My trip to see the Kea was courtesy of Cheeky Kea Tours. (Who I can highly recommend if you’re visiting New Zealand and want someone else to take care of all the hard work for you). All photos, views and opinions are my own.
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