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It is difficult to imagine a parrot that fearlessly attacks another animal. But such an amazing species exists in nature. We are talking about Kea parrots, formerly vegetarians and now birds of prey. These large parrots are the only species that has chosen the harsh climate of the highlands as its habitat. Predatory, intelligent, mischievous, and, at the same time, cunning and very smart lovers of lamb—this is how the locals of New Zealand describe parrots.
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Appearance and description
| Name and classification | Kea parrot Nestor notabilis Genus Nestor Family Nestoridae Nestoridae Order Psittaciformes Class Birds (Aves) |
| Bird length | 0.43 – 0.47 m |
| Wings | From 0.3 to 0.35 m |
| Adult weight | 0.5 – 1.1 kg |
| Color | On top and on the belly, the plumage is dominated by a combination of green, olive, gray, brown, and brown shades. Feathers of orange and red stand out under the wings. |
| Beak | Dark gray, curved (the beak is almost three times longer than the lower part of the beak). |
| One of the proofs of the relationship is the external similarity of the falcon with the New Zealand parrot, Kea. Their beaks are very similar. Hence the nickname “falcon parrot.”. | |
| Kea beak | Falcon beak |
| Eyes | Gray-black |
| Paws | Dark gray |
| Features of the view | Parrots are predators. • They eat human food. • They fly well. • They tolerate low temperatures well. |
| Sex differences | Females, unlike males, are smaller in size and weight, and their plumage is duller with a less pronounced pattern. |
Habitat Kea Parrot
Highlands of the South Island of New Zealand.
Credit: Animalia.bio
Lifestyle
Kea are well adapted to the harsh conditions of life in the mountains. They spend the entire day searching for food or soaring high in the clouds. They can be found even at altitudes above 1500 meters above sea level, where there are almost no forests or meadows. It is worth noting that wild representatives of this species are not at all afraid of people, so they can often be found next to human houses, landfills, and trash cans. Typically, flocks of birds lead a sedentary lifestyle, but in search of food they can descend from the highlands to lower ones.
Character and intelligence
By nature, falcon parrots are very inquisitive, enterprising and cunning. Individuals who are accustomed to people spend time in their company without any problems, destroy car cabins, happily rummage through bags, and turn out the contents of trash cans, thereby attracting the gaze of surprised tourists. For this, the Keas are nicknamed “clowns,” although their entertainment is harmful. If the birds eat well, they won’t mind showing people their games. They love to tumble in snow drifts or take a bath in puddles.
As for intelligence, these parrots are ahead of even mammals in terms of IQ. It will not be difficult for them to learn, imitate the movements of other pets, and solve various puzzles and puzzles. In addition, the research revealed that these parrots distinguish colors and remember information well, and also work harmoniously in a team.
Credit: WallHere
How long do they live?
The average lifespan of a Kea is 50 years. But not all birds live to this age.
The following reasons shorten the life of birds:
- shooting;
- poachers;
- natural disasters (floods, fires, avalanches);
- lack of food;
- avian infectious diseases;
- death under the wheels of cars;
- predators;
- climate change.
What does Kea eat?
If we talk about the diet of the “smartest” birds, then it has its own characteristics. It was these birds that became an example of successful re-adaptation of diet caused by a change in the local fauna. In addition to taste preferences, there was a change in the functions of the claws and beak. Europeans brought mammals to New Zealand that had never been here. By an unfortunate coincidence, the parrots tasted the meat. The birds liked the new food, and they gradually began to transform from vegetarians into predators, who now happily eat both fresh meat and the remains of dead animals.
Credit: Rove.me
In addition to high-calorie lamb, Kea’s diet continues to include:
- plants;
- fruits and berries;
- flower nectar;
- seeds;
- fruit;
- nuts;
- worms, invertebrates, larvae.
The Kea parrot was able not only to change its tastes, but also evolved in terms of obtaining new food products. Local farmers even began to call this species “sheep killers,” which means “sheep killers.” Bird hunting is an acquired skill that is characterized by extreme cruelty. According to eyewitnesses, the bird does not expect the death of its victim, but begins to peck at it while it is still alive.
According to the observations of researcher G. Mirrier, not all parrots in a flock attack animals, but only 3-4 predatory individuals out of 100, but the “bad” fame of some individuals now haunts the entire species.
Features of reproduction
Kea females become sexually mature by the age of 4 years, and males no earlier than 5 years. The “males” are polygamous, and can create a new family during the breeding season, which falls from July to January. It is worth noting that partners from a “harem” do not get along well with each other and often fight with each other.
Birds place nests in rock crevices or burrows up to 8 meters deep.The incubation period is 21 days. The male guards the clutch, feeds the female, and then, together with her, the chicks.This location ensures high productivity and survival of almost all chicks.The clutch contains from 2 to 4 eggs, and is incubated by the female.
It is interesting that the mother abandons her babies at 4 months of age, and the male lives with the grown brood and feeds it for about 2 weeks after the mother leaves. At the same time, the male feeds the chicks from all the nests where his wives live. Young males leave the parental nest after about 3 months, and females – after 4 months.
Credit: Britannica
Parental care and good nests make it possible to save almost all the chicks from the brood. But due to the harsh conditions of the highlands, only half of the young live to adulthood.
Species status
When they talk about Kea, this is precisely the case when only people are to blame for interfering in the natural biocenosis and twice putting the birds on the brink of extinction.
The first period is from the 17th century, when the British introduced new animals, and thereby disrupted the food pyramid of the New Zealand islands. Then the birds were able to adapt by changing their usual diet. And fortunately, they did not die out, but on the contrary, they were able to significantly increase their population.
The threat loomed over Kea for the second time at the beginning of the 20th century, when farmers were allowed to shoot parrots that attacked flocks of sheep. Such a rash decision led to a terrible result – 150 thousand killed birds. Although after this a ban on shooting was established, no one controlled the situation with the population.
These animals have found a way to sneak into bird nests, where they eat eggs and chicks.At the moment, there are about 3 thousand birds in the wild, which are listed in the International Red Book as an endangered species and in the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna. While farmers are forbidden to touch Kea, serious enemies have appeared in nature – stoats and opossums, which were also brought to the islands by people.The new status has made it possible for parrots to be reborn, and their numbers, although at a small pace, are increasing.
Credit: Shutterstock
Keas are the most intelligent birds with an amazing history of transformation. This is how one can characterize the feathered aborigines of New Zealand. It is very sad that the rash decisions of people forced these feathered intellectuals to change and defend their right to life. But I would like to hope that in the future the mountain parrot Kea will not disappear and will delight us with its presence in the wild.
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