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These are pictures of a mountain parrot native exclusively to the mountain ranges of the Southern Alps in New Zealand. It’s name “Kea” stems from the characteristic cry of the bird that announces it even if you can’t see it anywhere. Be sure that a whole flock of birds has already spotted you and is watching you closely. You might bring food. But in the case you don’t bring any food they will quite happily take other things from you: sneakers, gloves, camera equipment..... all great fun to play with... and to destroy. These are probably the most inquisitive brids that I’ve ever met. To of them play catch in front of you while a third one sneaks up to your backpack to see if there is anything worth stealing in it. This is no joke, so beware when you are around these little sneaks!
The inquisitveness of the Keas is crucial to their survival in the harsh mountains with heavy snowfalls in the winter and many days of cold rain or strong winds. It allows them to search for many different types of food and still be successful where other birds aren’t.
It was thought that Keas are quite common in New Zealand because they are frequently encountered by hikers and rangers. However, they tend to gather in places that are frequented by tourists as these will usually feed them to get good pictures. In the backcountry, however, the populations are dwindeling as with most other native birds. So please: IF YOU SEE KEAS, ENJOY WATCHING THEM BUT DON’T FEED THEM!!!! It’s not their natural behavioural pattern to snatch calorie rich food like bread and chocolate from tourists! They forget how to fend for themselves in the wild by living on the calorie rich diet of the tourists.
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