Kea - “Clowns of the Mountains”

November 30, 2024

Meet the Kea: The Playful Parrot of New Zealand!

 

Keas are amazing and funny birds that live in the rugged mountains of New Zealand. They are known for being curious, clever, and full of energy! Let’s explore why these birds are so special.

• How Big Are Keas?

• Keas are 19 inches (48 cm) long, about the size of a medium-sized dog.

• They weigh about 2 pounds (0.9 kg), which is a little heavier than a loaf of bread.

• How Long Do They Live?

• Keas can live up to 20 years in the wild, and some have even lived longer in zoos!

• Where Do They Live?

• Keas live only in New Zealand, and they are found in the South Island in high mountain areas. They love living in alpine (mountain) and subalpine regions, where the weather is cold and snowy.

• What Do They Eat?

• Keas are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Their diet includes fruits, seeds, insects, small mammals, and even dead animals (called carrion).

• They are very clever and can also scavenge human food, especially in tourist areas where they often steal snacks from visitors!

• A Group of Keas is Called a “Circus”

• Isn’t that a fun name? When you see a group of keas, you’re looking at a circus of birds. They are social and love to play together!

• How Do Keas Use Their Feet?

• Keas have strong, curved claws that help them climb and move around on rocky surfaces in the mountains. Their feet are zygodactyl, which means two toes face forward and two face backward. This helps them grip and hold things, just like using fingers!

• What About Their Senses?

• Keas have great eyesight, which is important because they live in tricky, rocky places. They can spot predators and find food with ease.

• Although we don’t know much about their sense of smell, keas mostly use their eyes and brains to explore the world around them.

• How Do Keas Have Babies?

• Keas breed in winter (July to January). The female lays 2 to 4 eggs, and she keeps them warm for about a month.

• The male helps by feeding the female while she incubates the eggs. Both parents take care of the babies after they hatch. The baby keas, called chicks, stay in the nest for about 13 weeks before they can fly.

• How Do Keas Communicate?

• Keas love to make loud calls, which sound like “keee aaa.” You can hear them when they are flying or calling to each other.

• They also use body language to show how they feel and communicate with other keas.

• What Are Keas Like?

• Keas are playful, curious, and super smart. They love to interact with people and objects. They often cause mischief by exploring things like cars and snowboards.

• They are known to slide down snow-covered slopes just for fun, and they have even been seen using sticks as tools to get food!

• How Do They Feel?

• Happy keas love to play, slide on snow, and interact with other birds.

• When keas are scared, they may make loud noises and fly away to safety.

• If keas are sad or stressed, they may become quieter and less social.

• How Do Keas Sleep?

• Keas sleep at night in safe, sheltered spots like rock crevices or dense bushes. These places protect them from predators while they rest.

• How Do They Eat?

• Keas use their strong beaks to tear apart food, especially when eating insects or carrion. They are very skilled at getting food in tricky spots!

• What Other Animals Do Keas Meet?

• Keas sometimes interact with other animals in the mountains. They are known to annoy farmers by pulling wool from sheep, which can cause problems for the farmers.

• How Many Keas Are Left?

• There are fewer than 5,000 keas left in the wild, which makes them an endangered species. We need to help protect them so they don’t disappear!

• Interesting Kea Facts!

• Keas are the world’s only alpine parrot, which means they live in the cold, snowy mountains instead of tropical forests like most parrots.

• They have bright orange feathers on the underside of their wings, which you can see when they fly.

• Keas are known as the “clowns of the mountains” because of their funny antics and playful behavior.

 

Keas are truly one of a kind! They are clever, playful, and full of personality, making them one of the most fascinating birds in the world.

 

References:

1. Animal Gator. Kea Facts – Nestor notabilis. Available at: https://animalgator.com/kea-facts/

2. Animals.net. Kea: The Alpine Parrot. Available at: https://animals.net/kea/

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