Kea (Nestor notabilis)

Kea (Nestor notabilis (Gould, 1856))

Scientific name: Nestor notabilis (Gould, 1856)
Common name: Kea
French name: Nestor kéa
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Strigopidae
Size: Body size: 46 to 50 cm; Weight: 800 to 1000 g; Wingspan: about 90 cm.
Habitat: Altitude forests up to 2200 meters with a preference for narrow valleys populated by Beeches (nothofagus cliffortioides) and high altitude scrub areas. The Kea is also found in coastal forests. It does not hesitate to approach houses and parking lots. It is the only species of mountain parrot in the world.
Food: Mainly vegetarian, Keas feed on leaves, buds, berries, seeds, roots and nectar. They also consume some insects and can be scavengers. They can be seen heading to ski resorts, campsites, parking lots and garbage dumps in search of food.
Nesting: Kea nest in cavities, under roots, under stumps, under rocks or under pebbles. The nests are lined with twigs, dry grass, moss and lichens. There are two to four eggs per clutch.
Migration: Sedentary with moves in altitude following the seasons and during the dispersal of the young.
Geographic area: Endemic to the mountains of the South Island of New Zealand.

The Kea has bronze green upper parts with black-edged feathers and olive green lower parts.
The lower back is dull red.
The underside of the wings is orange-red then barred with yellow and black.
The legs are bluish grey. The bill is blackish with a very long hooked upper mandible.
Females are slightly smaller than males and the upper mandible is a little shorter.
Juveniles have a yellowish base of the bill.
Keas live in family groups and can gather in groups of 30 to 40 birds.