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Kea

Nestor notabilis

Endangered · IUCN Red List

ENEndangeredEndemicPlantsGrasslandCavity nestLarge · 863 g
Kea (Nestor notabilis), photo 1
Photo: Christian Mehlführer, User:Chmehl · CC BY 2.5
Kea (Nestor notabilis), photo 2
Photo: Mark Whatmough · CC BY 2.0
Kea (Nestor notabilis), photo 3
Photo: Mark Whatmough · CC BY 2.0
Kea (Nestor notabilis), photo 4
Photo: David Thompson · CC BY 4.0
Kea (Nestor notabilis), photo 5
Photo: Tommy Forrest · CC0
Kea (Nestor notabilis), photo 6
Photo: Tommy Forrest · CC0
Kea (Nestor notabilis), photo 7
Photo: Christian Mehlführer, User:Chmehl · CC BY 2.5
Kea (Nestor notabilis), photo 8
Photo: Christian Mehlführer, User:Chmehl · CC BY 2.5
Kea (Nestor notabilis), photo 9
Photo: George Reginald Marriner (Q106808061) · Public domain

ID tip

The kea is a large parrot measuring 46 to 50 cm (18 to 20 in) in length, with some specimens possibly reaching 55 cm (22 in). The male is about 5% longer than the female. Adult kea weigh between 750 and 1,000 g (1.65 and 2.20 lb), with males averaging 956 g (2.108 lb) and females averaging 779 g (1.717 lb). The mean adult weight is 922 g (2.033 lb). It has mostly olive-green plumage: the feathers on the sides of its face are dark olive-brown, the back and rump feathers are orange-red, and some of the outer wing feathers are dull blue.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

When to see the Kea

One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 7 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is November, the month with the most records.

Where to see the Kea

Regular range

The map shades 1 country with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.

New Zealand

About the Kea

The kea is a species of large parrot in the family Strigopidae that is endemic to the forested and alpine regions of the South Island of New Zealand. About 48 cm (19 in) long, it is mostly olive-green, with brilliant orange under its wings, and has a large, narrow, curved, grey-brown upper beak. Its omnivorous diet consists mainly of roots, leaves, berries, nectar, and insects, but also includes carrion. It was once killed for bounty due to concern by sheep farmers that it attacked livestock, especially sheep. The kea is now uncommon, and received absolute protection under the Wildlife Act in 1986.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Easily confused with

New Zealand Kaka (Nestor meridionalis) New Zealand KakaNestor meridionalisThe New Zealand kākā is a medium-sized parrot, measuring 45 cm (18 in) in length and weighing from 390 to 560 g (14 to 20 oz), with an average of 452 g (0.996 lb).

Side by side: Kea vs New Zealand Kaka

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