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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 one of the few recorded alpine parrots 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, especially sheep, only receiving full protection in 1986.[1]
| Contents |
| Description |
| Classification |
| Distribution and habitat |
| Breeding |
| Diet |
| References |
| External links |
Description
Kea have red feathers under the wings
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]
Classification
The genus ''Nestor'' contains three species: The Kākā (''Nestor meridionalis''), the Kea (''N. notabilis''), and the extinct Norfolk Island Kākā (''N. 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'').Juniper, T., Parr, M. (1998) Parrots: A guide to parrots of the world. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press (ISBN 0-300-07453-0)
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,[5] but fossil evidence seems to contradict this; 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.
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 the 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 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. Breeding at heights of 1600m above sea level and higher, they are one of the few parrot species in the world to regularly spend time above tree line. 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 backpacks, boots or even cars that happen to catch their attention (and often damage them or carry off smaller items).
Population estimates range from 1,000 to 5,000 individuals,[6] but their widespread distribution at low density hinders accurate estimates.[7]Elliott, G., Kemp, J. (1999) Conservation ecology of Kea (''Nestor notabilis''). Report. WWF New Zealand. Together with local councils and runholders, the New Zealand government paid a bounty for Kea bills because Kea preyed upon lifestock, mainly sheep.[8][9] 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.[10] 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.[7]
Breeding
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.[12]
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.Elliott, G., Kemp, J. (1999) Conservation ecology of kea (''Nestor notabilis''). Report. WWF New Zealand. 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.[13] 2-4 white eggs are laid, with an incubation time around 21 days.
Diet
As omnivores, Kea are known to feed on more than 40 plant species (Tab. 1), beetle larva, other birds (including shearwater chicks) and mammals (including sheep and rabbits).[14][15] Kea have also taken advantage of human garbage and "gifts" of food.[16] 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.
There had been a long-running controversy about whether Kea prey on sheep, with the earliest reports appearing in 1867. An article by naturalist G.R. Marriner in 1906, describing substantial anecdotal evidence of these attacks, became the accepted view of the birds´ habits. Several prominent members of the scientific community concluded that the rumours were true, although some were not convinced. However, in 1962 animal specialist J.R. Jackson concluded they may attack sick or injured sheep, especially if they mistook them as dead, but that they were not a significant predator.[17] Finally, in 1993, their nocturnal assaults were captured on video,, proving that at least some Kea will attack and feed off of healthy sheep. The video explained exactly what many scientists have thought for years, showing the Kea using its powerful curved beak and claws to rip through the layer of wool and eat off of the fat that surrounds the back of the animal. Though the Kea does not directly kill its large prey, mortality can occur from blood poisoning or accidents suffered by sheep trying to escape the torment.
Kea have been observed eating the following plants:[18]
References
1. Lindsey, T., Morris, R. (2000) ''Field Guide To New Zealand Wildlife''. Auckland: Harper Collins. (ISBN 1-86950-300-7)
2. Robertson, H., Heather, B. (2001) ''The hand guide to the birds of New Zealand''. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. (ISBN 0-19-850831-X)
3. Falla RA, Sibson RB & Turbot EG (1966) ''A Field guide to the birds of New Zealand''. Collins, London (ISBN 0-00-212022-4)
4. Fleming, C.A. (1975) The geological history of New Zealand and its biota. In G. Kuschel (Ed.): ''Biogeography and ecology in New Zealand''. The Hague: Dr. W. Junk
5. de Kloet, R.S.; de Kloet, S.R. (2005). The evolution of the spindlin gene in birds: sequence analysis of an intron of the spindlin W and Z gene reveals four major divisions of the Psittaciformes. ''Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution'' '36': 706–721.
6. Anderson, R. (1986) Keas for keeps. ''Forest and Bird'', '17', 2-5
7. Diamond, J., Bond, A. (1999) Kea. Bird of paradox. The evolution and behavior of a New Zealand Parrot. Berkeley; Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press. (ISBN 0-520-21339-4)
8. Marriner, G. R. (1906) Notes on the Natural History of the Kea, with Special Reference to its Reputed Sheep-killing Propensities. ''Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand'', 39, 271-305.
9. Marriner, G. R. (1907) Additional Notes on the Kea. ''Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand'', 40, 534-537 and Plates XXXII-XXXIV.
10. Temple, P. (1996) ''The Book of the Kea''. Auckland: Hodder Moa Beckett. (ISBN 0-340-600039)
11. Diamond, J., Bond, A. (1999) Kea. Bird of paradox. The evolution and behavior of a New Zealand Parrot. Berkeley; Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press. (ISBN 0-520-21339-4)
12. Jackson JR (1962). The life of the Kea. ''Canterbury Mountaineer'' '31' 120-123
13. Jackson JR (1960). Keas at Arthur's Pass. ''Notornis'' '9' 39-58
14. Clark, C.M.H. (1970) Observations on population, movements and food of the kea, ''Nestor notabilis''. ''Notornis'', '17', 105-114
15. Kea - Mountain Parrot, NHNZ. (1 hour documentary)
16. Gajdon, G.K., Fijn, N., Huber, L.(2006) Limited spread of innovation in a wild parrot, the kea (''Nestor notabilis''). ''Animal Cognition'', '9', 173-181.
17. Jackson JR (1962) Do Kea attack sheep? ''Notornis'' '10' 33-38
18. Clark, C.M.H. (1970) Observations on population, movements and food of the kea, ''Nestor notabilis''. ''Notornis'', '17', 105-114
★ Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is vulnerable
External links
★ Department of Conservation Kea page
★ ARKive - images and movies of the Kea ''(Nestor notabilis)''
★ Kea research at the University of Vienna [1]
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