Kea

The kea is a big, cheeky parrot that lives high in the mountains of New Zealand’s South Island. It is the only parrot in the whole world that makes its home up in the cold, snowy peaks. From the outside a kea looks olive-green, but when it opens its wings you can suddenly see flashes of bright orange underneath.

Kea are famous for being some of the cleverest birds on Earth. They love to solve puzzles, and they can figure out how to open locks and latches to reach a tasty treat. Scientists have even found that a kea will wait patiently for a bigger, better reward instead of grabbing a small one straight away.

These birds are also wonderfully mischievous. Curious kea will hop over to parked cars and hikers’ backpacks and start tugging at anything interesting with their strong, hooked beaks. They pull at boots, zips, and windscreen wipers, mostly because they want to explore and play.

Kea are omnivores, which means they eat lots of different foods. They dig up roots and shoots, nibble leaves and berries, sip nectar from mountain flowers, and hunt for insects. Being willing to try almost anything helps them survive in their tough, chilly home.

Sadly, kea are endangered, with only about 3,000 to 7,000 left in the wild. They are hurt by animals like stoats and possums that were brought to New Zealand, and some kea have been harmed by people. Today, conservation teams in New Zealand are working hard to protect these clever, playful parrots and the wild mountains they call home.