Kea
Nestor notabilis
- 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
- Olive-green mountain parrot
- Brilliant orange-red underwings in flight
- Curious and bold around people
Voice
Loud 'keee-aa' call.
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.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Kea
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.