Kea
⚡ Key Facts & Quick Answers (AEO Summary)
- Taxonomic Class: Birds (Aves)
- Dietary Niche: Omnivore (Roots, berries, insects, sheep fat, carrion)
- Max Speed: 45 km/h (28 mph)
- Adult Weight: 0.8 - 1 kg (1.8 - 2.2 lbs)
- Typical Lifespan: 20 - 30 years
- Primary Habitat: Alpine peaks, beech forests, sub-alpine scrublands
- Native Region: South Island of New Zealand
- IUCN Red List: Endangered
📊 Physical & Biological Metrics
🧬 Scientific Taxonomy & Biological Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Psittaciformes |
| Family | Strigopidae |
| Genus | Nestor |
| Species Binomial | Nestor notabilis |
📖 1. Species Overview
The Kea is the world's only alpine parrot. Famous for its intense curiosity, high intelligence, and playful nature, it is known to dismantle cars, backpacks, and boots in the New Zealand mountains.
🦿 2. Physical Appearance, Anatomy & Adaptations
Olive-green body plumage, brilliant scarlet-orange underwings, a long curved upper beak, and dark grey feet.
🗺️ 3. Habitat, Geographic Distribution & Territorial Range
Social, inquisitive, and highly intelligent. They solve multi-step puzzles and forage in alpine snow.
🥩 4. Diet, Feeding Strategy & Hunting Tactics
Omnivorous, using their curved beak to dig up roots, berries, grubs, and scavenge animal carcasses.
🐣 5. Reproduction, Lifecycle & Social Hierarchy
Nest in underground burrows or rock crevices beneath beech trees, laying 2-5 eggs.
🛡️ 6. Conservation Status, Population Threats & Protection
Endangered. Threatened by introduced stoats, lead poisoning from old building roofs, and human conflict.
💡 Fascinating Facts & Trivia
- Kea are notorious for chewing the rubber seals off car doors, wipers, and ski boots out of sheer curiosity.
- They are one of the few bird species known to engage in infectious play, emitting a specific 'warble' call that makes other kea start playing.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Direct authoritative answers regarding the biology, feeding habits, and habitat of the Kea.
The Kea is scientifically classified as Nestor notabilis. It belongs to the genus Nestor within the family Strigopidae, class Aves, and phylum Chordata.
In the wild, Keas inhabit Alpine peaks, beech forests, sub-alpine scrublands. Their native geographic range primarily spans South Island of New Zealand.
The Kea is classified as a Omnivore. It feeds primarily on specialized nutrients suited to its ecological niche in Alpine peaks, beech forests, sub-alpine scrublands.
A Kea can achieve top speeds of 45 km/h (28 mph) and weighs approximately 0.8 - 1 kg (1.8 - 2.2 lbs). Its expected natural lifespan is 20 - 30 years.
The Kea (Nestor notabilis) is currently designated as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Cite this Article
FaunaWiki Zoological Database (2026). "Kea (Nestor notabilis) Species Profile."
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