The KEA - Alpine Bird or Campervan?

The Kea - A Bird Like No Other

The kea is surely the “character“ of New Zealand’s wildlife and has a reputation for being one of the most mischievious, intelligent and inquisitive birds in the world. It is a dark olive-green colour with bright orange-scarlet underwing coverts and axillaries.

The Kea Lives Up To Its Name

This native NZ bird is named after its loud inflight cry of "KEEEAAAA“. It feeds on berries, buds, seeds, insects and worms, but will also scavenge on dead animals, birds eggs and rubbish.

An Endangered Species

Kea are unique to the Southern Alps of New Zealand, where they can be found from 2000m down to sea level. Today, the kea is a protected species, with only 1000 - 5000 of these cheeky creatures left. The declining number of kea is due to several factors such as:

• Logging and development in their habitat
• Introduced mammals such as rodents, cats, possums, deer, hares, chamois and livestock which are either competing for food or prey on kea
• Illegal killing of keas by farmers protecting their livestock
• Kea scavenging on rubbish and being exposed to harmful food or items

KEA Campers & Wildlife Conservaton

KEA Campers is proud to be involved in the conservation of the kea through support of the amazing walk-through kea aviary at Rainbow Springs in Rotorua. For more information about Rainbow Springs, please click here.

Please check out the following websites to find out more about the kea bird:
Wellington Zoo - Native Fact Sheet
The Parrot Society - New Zealand Parrots
Rainbow Springs Nature Park