Kea I

Location: -45° 0’ 15.91", +168° 37’ 29.17"

The Kea is a highly intelligent parrot, measuring about 46 cm—roughly the size of a cat—with a 1-meter wingspan. Some researchers compare its intelligence to that of a 4-year-old child, earning it the playful nickname “clown of the alpine” for its mischievous behaviour.

Native exclusively to New Zealand’s South Island, kea are the world’s only alpine parrots. They nest in burrows beneath trees or rocks, often at sea level on the West Coast or in the Southern Alps.

Kea form lifelong pair bonds and defend territories of about 4 km², similar in size to a mountain spur. Males are larger than females, equipped with longer, curved beaks for foraging.

Young kea are easily recognisable by their pale heads and bright yellow markings around the eyes and beak, which gradually fade as they mature into adults with darker plumage.

Breeding happens every year, with females laying 2–5 eggs between July and October. Both parents share parenting duties: the female incubates the eggs, while the male provides food. Chicks fledge after 12 weeks. If predators like possums or stoats destroy the eggs, the female may lay a replacement clutch early in the season.