Kea
Photo: Mark Whatmough · CC BY 2.0

New Zealand Parrots

Kea

Nestor notabilis

ENEndangered Endemic to New Zealand
Family
New Zealand Parrots (Strigopidae)
Order
Psittaciformes

Overview

The kea ( KEE-ə; Māori: [kɛ.a]; Nestor notabilis) 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.

Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Diet: Roots, leaves, berries, insects and carrion.

How to identify it

  1. Olive-green mountain parrot
  2. Brilliant orange-red underwings in flight
  3. Curious and bold around people

Voice

Loud 'keee-aa' call.

Listen to recordings on xeno-canto

Where to see it

  • Arthur's Pass
  • Milford Road, Fiordland

Similar species

Kākā
browner forest parrot of lower altitudes

Range and habitat

Mountains of South Island (New Zealand).

Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.

Continents

Countries

Sources and further reading

Last updated September 29, 2026.