Kea

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Kea
Conservation status
Vulnerable
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae Genus: Nestor Species: N. notabilis
Binomial name
Nestor notabilis Gould, 1856

The Kea (Nestor notabilis) is a highly unusual species of parrot found in forested and alpine regions of the South Island of New Zealand. The Kea is the only alpine parrot in the world, and includes carrion in a diet consisting mainly of roots, leaves, berries, nectar and insects. Now uncommon, the Kea was once killed for bounty as it preyed on livestock, only receiving full protection in 1986.^[1]

Contents 1 Description 1.1 Classification 2 Distribution and habitat 3 Behaviour 3.1 Reproduction 3.2 Diet 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Description

Kea are omnivorous crow-sized birds, 46 cm length and weighing around 700-1000g. They have olive green plumage with dark-edged feathers, and a blue-green tail. The underwings are scarlet with yellow stripes, while the legs are grey. The ceres, bill and eyes are dark grey. Juvenile birds (age 0-3) have yellow ceres, eye-rings and beak parts. Fledglings also have a lighter-coloured crown.^[2] They are thought to live to an age of 50 years but there is no published data on maximum age.

The main call is a loud Kee-ah, mainly voiced in flight. It has some other softer calls.^[3]

[edit] Classification

The genus Nestor contains three species: The Kākā (Nestor meridionalis), the Kea (Nestor notabilis), and the extinct Norfolk Island Kākā (Nestor productus). All three are thought to stem from a 'proto-Kākā', dwelling in the forests of New Zealand 15 million years ago.^[4] The closest relative is most likely the Kākāpō (Strigops habroptilus).^[5]

A 2005 sex chromosome spindlin DNA sequence study suggests that the Nestor species, and the Kākāpō in its own genus, comprise an ancient group that split off from all other Psittacidae before their radiation,^[6] but fossil evidence seems to contradict this^{[citation needed]}; given the violent geological history of New Zealand (see, for example, Taupo Volcanic Zone), other explanations such as episodes of genetic drift seem better supported by evidence.

[edit] Distribution and habitat

The Kea (Nestor notabilis) is one of only seven parrot species endemic to New Zealand. The other mainland species are the Kākā (Nestor meridionalis), the Kākāpō (Strigops habroptilus), and three species of Kākāriki:the Yellow crowned parakeet (Cyanoramphus auriceps), Red crowned parakeet( Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae) and Orange crowned parakeet (Cyanoramphus malherbi). The last parrot species endemic to New Zealand is the Antipodes Island Parakeet (Cyanoramphus unicolor)), found only on those subantarctic islands after which it is named.

The habitat of the Kea ranges from lowland river valleys up to the alpine regions of the South Island such as Arthur's Pass and Mt. Cook National Park. The breeding areas are most commonly in Southern Beech (Nothofagus sp.) forests, located on steep mountain sides. They are the only parrot species breeding at heights of 1600m above sea level and higher. Their notorious urge to explore and manipulate combined with strong neophilia, makes this bird a pest for residents and an attraction for tourists. Called "clowns of the mountains", they will investigate a backpack or a car that happens to catch their attention.

Population estimates range from 1000 to 5000 individuals,^[7] but their widespread distribution at low density hinders accurate estimates.^[8][9] Together with local councils and runholders, the New Zealand government payed a bounty for Kea bills because Kea preyed upon lifestock, mainly sheep.^[10][11] Hunters were meant to kill Kea only on the farms and council areas paying the bounty, but some hunted them in national parks and in Westland, where they were officially protected. More than 150,000 were killed in the hundred years before 1970, when the bounty was lifted.^[12] In the 1970s the Kea received partial protection after a census counted only 5000 birds. They were not fully protected until 1986, when farmers gave up their legal right to shoot any Kea that tampered with property or livestock. In exchange, the government agreed to investigate any reports of problem birds and have them removed from the land.^[8]

[edit] Behaviour

At least one observer has noted the Kea to be polygamous, with one male seemingly attached to multiple females and that there were a surplus of females.^[13]

[edit] Reproduction

Kea range along the whole South Island of New Zealand, yet they are closely bound to the southern beech (Nothofagus) forests in the alpine ridge. In one study nest sites occur at a density of 1 per 4.4km².^[9] Nest sites are usually positioned on the ground underneath large beech trees, in rock crevices or dug burrows between roots. They are accessed by tunnels leading back 1m to 6m into a larger chamber, which is furnished with lichens, moss, ferns and rotting wood. The laying period starts in January and reaches into July.^[14] 2-4 white eggs are laid, with an incubation time around 21 days.^[3]

[edit] Diet

As omnivores, Kea are known to feed on more than 40 plant species (Tab. 1), on beetle larva, other birds and mammals (including shearwater chicks, sheep and rabbits), and foods provided by humans.^[15][16] Kea have also taken advantage of human garbage and "gifts".^[17] In captivity, these birds are very fond of butter, all forms of nuts, apples, carrots, grapes, mangos, figs, bread, dairy products, ground meat and even pasta.^{[citation needed]}

There has been a long-running controversy about whether Kea prey on sheep. The earliest reports of this appeared in 1867, and in 1906 Marriner described substantial anecdotal evidence of these attacks.^[10] Some were not convinced, however. For instance, Jackson concluded in 1962 that it is possible that they may attack sick or injured sheep, especially if they mistook them as dead, but that they were not a significant predator in this regard.^[18] More recently, their nocturnal assaults have been captured on video,^[16] leaving little doubt that Kea sometimes attack healthy sheep. Mortality does not usually result from the extent of the wounds, but from blood poisoning or accidents suffered by sheep trying to escape the torment.

Tab. 1: List of plants Kea have been observed consuming:^[15]

Food type	Scientific name
Fruits:	Astelia nervosa
	Coprosma pseudopunctata
	Coprosma pumila
	Coprosma serrulata
	Cyathodes colensoi
	Cyathodes fraseri
	Caultheria depressa
	Muehlenbeckia axillaris
	Pentachondra pumila
	Podocarpus nivalis
Seeds	Aciphylla colensoi
	Aciphylla ferox
	Aciphylla monroi
	Astelia nervosa
	Hebe ciliolata
	Pimelea oreophila
	Pittosporum anomalu
	Plantago raoulia
Roots	Anisotome pilifera
	Celmisia coriacea
	Gingidium montanum
	Notothlaspi australe
	Ranunculus insignis
Leaves and buds	Euphrasia zelandica
	Gentiana bellidifolia
	Gentiana spenceri
	Gnaphalium traversii
	Hebe pauciramosa
	Hebe vernicosa
	Lagenophora petiolata
	Nothofagus solandri var cliff.
Flowers	Celimisia coriacea
	Celimisia discolor var ampla
	Celimisia spectabilis var ang.
	Cotula pyrethrifolia
	Gentiana bellidifolia
	Gentiana patula
	Gentiana spenceri
	Haastia pulvinaris
	Luzula campestris
Entire plant	Anisotome aromatica var arom.
	Ourisia sessilifolia
	Ourisia caespitosa
	Ourisia macrophylla
	Ranunculus insignis

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Department of Conservation Kea page
• ARKive - images and movies of the Kea (Nestor notabilis)
• Kea research at the University of Vienna [1]