Kea
The Alpine Wanderer
Meet the kea, New Zealand’s cheeky alpine parrot, famous for its bright green feathers, clever mind, and playful curiosity.
Mischievous by nature and full of personality, these mountain explorers are as smart as they are unforgettable.
At Willowbank, we’re proud to be home to one of the largest kea flights in the Southern Hemisphere, with successful breeding helping protect their future.
Kea facts
New Zealand
Found in the alpine and forested mountain regions of the South Island, New Zealand. They are commonly seen in national parks and high-country areas, where they thrive in rugged, mountainous landscapes.
Alpine
Kea mainly nest within native forest. Highly adaptable, they move between forest and high-country habitats depending on the season and food availability.
Omnivore
Kea are omnivores, feeding on roots, seeds, berries, insects, and carrion. Opportunistic and curious, they will explore and investigate almost anything in search of food.
Mischevious
Kea are highly intelligent, social, and curious birds. Active during the day, often investigating their surroundings, playing, and interacting in flocks. They are famous for creating mischief.
46-50cm
Kea stand about 45 cm tall and measure 46–50 cm in length from beak to tail, weighing around 0.8–1 kg.
20-30 years
Kea can live for 20–30 years in the wild, with some individuals reaching up to 50 years in protected environments.
Endangered
Kea are classified as Endangered. Threats include predation by introduced mammals, habitat loss, and human interactions.
Native Area
Our large flight of kea can be found getting up to all sorts of antics in our native area.
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