🐦 FlyingCare difficulty: AdvancedLegal complexity: High — restricted in many states
Kea
Nestor notabilis
The kea is the world's only true alpine parrot, native to New Zealand's South Island mountains and famous for extraordinary intelligence and curiosity. It is endangered, with threats including introduced predators, human conflict, and lead poisoning from old buildings.
Educational only. KinStation content is reviewed by licensed veterinarians but cannot replace an in-person exam. Always consult a licensed veterinarian or board-certified specialist for diagnosis, treatment, or any decision affecting your pet's health.
🩺 Need expert help with your kea?
Connect with a specialist near you or ask a licensed vet — never substitute online guidance for hands-on care in an emergency.
Quick facts
| Size | Large parrot ~48 cm, ~0.8-1 kg, olive-green with orange underwings. |
| Lifespan | 15–30 years |
| Native region | South Island of New Zealand (alpine and subalpine zones) |
| Climate | ⛰️ Montane |
| Genus | Nestor |
Habitat & enclosure
A bird of high-country forests, scree slopes, and alpine basins, ranging widely across rugged mountain terrain. It is a protected native species; persecution, predation of nests by stoats, and ingestion of lead from old structures all suppress its numbers. It is not a pet species and is legally protected in New Zealand.
Diet
An omnivorous generalist that eats roots, leaves, berries, nectar, insects, and carrion, and famously investigates anything novel, including human food and gear. Its inquisitive foraging is part of what brings it into conflict with people. This entry is educational.
Behavior & temperament
Renowned for problem-solving, tool-related experiments, and social play; keas have featured in animal-cognition research. They are bold and gregarious around alpine huts and car parks, where they notoriously dismantle rubber and gear, a behavior that endears and exasperates in equal measure.
Reviewed and signed off by: KinStation Editorial — conservation profile (pending DVM/biologist review)
Sources
- Kea — Wikipedia (wiki)
- IUCN Red List — Nestor notabilis (gov)