Kea

Description:

New Zealand Mountain parrot, large parrot 30cm high, different shades of forest and khaki green, olive to gold on the chest. When flying has bright orange beneath the wings. Large grey hooked beak, very cheeky attitude.

Habitat:

Seen at altitude in a snowy mountain pass. Wild environment, but often with parked cars and people around who are coming or going on one of the walking trails. The Kea love to pull the rubber bits of the cars, empty the rubbish bins, steal lunches etc.

Notes:

Kea are beautiful amazing birds, so clever you cannot believe. To their detriment as they are often viewed as pests by farmers, but as New Zealand's only Alpine Parrot, are fully protected. They are ever searching for entertainment it seems, and wherever there are people they find it, so they are often seen in mountain car parks, ski fields and fishing lodges. There are just a few thousand left.