Kea
89073
219645132
2008-06-16T06:06:27Z
Penubag
1857053
Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/219.89.212.5|219.89.212.5]] ([[User talk:219.89.212.5|talk]]) to last version by Snowmanradio
{{otheruses}}
{{distinguish|Kia}}
{{Taxobox
| name = Kea
| status = VU
| status_system = iucn2.3
| trend = down
| image = Kea.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[bird|Aves]]
| ordo = [[Psittaciformes]]
| familia = [[true parrots|Psittacidae]]
| genus = ''[[Nestor (genus)|Nestor]]''
| species = '''''N. notabilis'''''
| binomial = ''Nestor notabilis''
| binomial_authority = [[John Gould|Gould]], [[1856]]
}}
The '''Kea''' (''Nestor notabilis'') is a species of [[parrot]] (family [[true parrots|Psittacidae]]) found in forested and alpine regions of the [[South Island]] of [[New Zealand]]. The Kea is one of the few alpine parrots in the world, and includes carrion in an omnivorous 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.<ref>Lindsey, T., Morris, R. (2000) ''Field Guide To New Zealand Wildlife''. Auckland: Harper Collins. (ISBN 1-86950-300-7)</ref>
Kea are legendary for their [[bird intelligence|intelligence]] and [[curiosity]], both vital to their survival in a harsh mountain environment.
Most people only encounter wild Kea at South Island ski areas. The Kea are attracted by the prospect of food scraps from human habitation. Their curiosity leads them to peck and carry away unguarded items of clothing, or to pry apart rubber parts of cars - to the entertainment and annoyance of human observers. They are often described as "cheeky".
==Taxonomy and naming==
The Kea was described by ornithologist [[John Gould]] in 1856. Its specific epithet, the [[Latin]] term ''notabilis'', means "noteworthy".<ref>{{cite book|author = Simpson DP| title = Cassell's Latin Dictionary | publisher = Cassell Ltd.| date = 1979|edition = 5|location = London|pages = 883| isbn=0-304-52257-0}}</ref> The common name is from [[Māori language|Māori]], probably representing the screech of the bird. The term Kea is both singular and plural.
===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.<ref>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</ref> The closest relative is most likely the [[Kakapo|Kākāpō]] (''Strigops habroptilus'').<ref name ="Jun98">Juniper, T., Parr, M. (1998) Parrots: A guide to parrots of the world. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press (ISBN 0-300-07453-0)</ref>
A 2005 [[ZW sex-determination system|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,<ref>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.</ref> but [[fossil]] evidence seems to contradict this{{Fact|date=February 2007}}<!-- Historical Biology review of fossil record of parrots (2006) -->; 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 seven [[parrot]] species endemic to [[New Zealand]]. The other mainland species are the [[Kākā]] (''Nestor meridionalis''), the [[Kakapo|Kākāpō]] (''Strigops habroptilus''), and three species of [[Kākāriki]]: the [[Yellow-crowned Parakeet]] (''Cyanoramphus auriceps''), [[Red-crowned Parakeet]] (''Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae'') and the [[Cyanoramphus malherbi|Orange-crowned Parakeet]] (''Cyanoramphus malherbi''). The seventh New Zealand parrot species is the [[Antipodes Island Parakeet]] (''Cyanoramphus unicolor'')), endemic to the 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, closely associated throughout its range with the southern beech (''[[Nothofagus]]'') forests in the alpine ridge. Its notorious urge to explore and manipulate, combined with strong [[neophilia]], makes this bird a pest for residents and an attraction for tourists. Called "the clown of the mountains", it will investigate backpacks, boots or even cars, often causing damage or flying off with smaller items.
[[Image:Kea_in_Flight_MC.jpg|thumb|left|A kea in flight in its natural habitat.]]
Population estimates range from 1,000 to 5,000 individuals,<ref>Anderson, R. (1986) Keas for keeps. ''Forest and Bird'', '''17''', 2-5</ref> but its widespread distribution at low density prevents accurate estimates.<ref name="Diabond99">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)</ref><ref name = "Elliott99">Elliott, G., Kemp, J. (1999) Conservation ecology of Kea (''Nestor notabilis''). Report. WWF New Zealand.</ref> Together with local councils and runholders, the New Zealand government paid a bounty for Kea bills because the bird preyed upon lifestock, mainly sheep.<ref name="Marriner06">Marriner, G. R. (1906) [http://rsnz.natlib.govt.nz/volume/rsnz_39/rsnz_39_00_000050.html 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.</ref><ref name="Marriner07">Marriner, G. R. (1907) [http://rsnz.natlib.govt.nz/volume/rsnz_40/rsnz_40_00_006900.html Additional Notes on the Kea]. ''Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand'', 40, 534-537 and Plates XXXII-XXXIV.</ref> It was intended that hunters would kill Kea only on the farms and council areas that paid 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.<ref name="Temple96">Temple, P. (1996) ''The Book of the Kea''. Auckland: Hodder Moa Beckett. (ISBN 0-340-600039)</ref> In the 1970s the Kea received partial protection after a census counted only 5000 birds. It was 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.<ref name="Diabond99">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)</ref>
[[Image:Kea head.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
==Life Span==
In the wild, undocumented, but estimated to be 15 years.<ref>[http://www.zoo.org/factsheets/parrots/kea/Kea.html Animal Fact Sheets<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
==Breeding==
At least one observer has reported that the Kea is polygamous, with one male attached to multiple females. The same source noted that there was a surplus of females.<ref>Jackson JR (1962). The life of the Kea. ''Canterbury Mountaineer'' '''31''' 120-123</ref>
In one study, nest sites occur at a density of 1 per 4.4km².<ref name = "Elliott99">Elliott, G., Kemp, J. (1999) Conservation ecology of kea (''Nestor notabilis''). Report. WWF New Zealand.</ref> 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, it is one of the few parrot species in the world to regularly spend time above [[tree line]]. 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.<ref>Jackson JR (1960). Keas at Arthur's Pass. ''Notornis'' '''9''' 39-58</ref> 2-4 white eggs are laid, with an incubation time of around 21 days.<ref name="FST66">Falla RA, Sibson RB & Turbot EG (1966) ''A Field guide to the birds of New Zealand''. Collins, London (ISBN 0-00-212022-4)</ref>
==Diet==
An [[omnivore]], the Kea feeds on more than 40 plant species (Tab. 1), beetle larva, other birds (including shearwater chicks) and mammals (including sheep and rabbits).<ref name="Clark70">Clark, C.M.H. (1970) Observations on population, movements and food of the kea, ''Nestor notabilis''. ''Notornis'', '''17''', 105-114</ref><ref name="nhnz">[http://www.naturalhistory.co.nz/cat/kea.html Kea - Mountain Parrot], [[NHNZ]]. (1 hour documentary)</ref> The Kea has also taken advantage of human garbage and "gifts" of food.<ref>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.</ref> In captivity, the bird is fond of butter, nuts, apples, carrots, grapes, mangoes, figs, bread, dairy products, ground meat and pasta.{{Fact|date=March 2007}}
There had been a long-running controversy about whether the Kea preys 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 bird's habits.<ref name="Marriner06"/> Several prominent members of the scientific community concluded that the rumours were true, although others were not convinced. However, in 1962 animal specialist J.R. Jackson concluded that the bird may attack sick or injured sheep, especially if it mistook them for dead, but that it was not a significant predator.<ref>Jackson JR (1962) Do Kea attack sheep? ''Notornis'' '''10''' 33-38</ref> Finally, in 1993, its nocturnal assaults were captured on video,<ref name="nhnz"/>, proving that at least some Kea will attack and feed on healthy sheep. The video confirmed what many scientists had long suspected, that the Kea uses its powerful curved beak and claws to rip through the layer of wool and eat the fat from the back of the animal. Though the Kea does not directly kill the sheep, death can result from blood poisoning or accidents suffered by animals trying to escape.
The Kea has also been observed breaking opened [[shearwater]] nests to feed on the chicks after hearing the chicks in their nests.
The Kea has been observed feeding on the following plants:<ref name="Clark70">Clark, C.M.H. (1970) Observations on population, movements and food of the kea, ''Nestor notabilis''. ''Notornis'', '''17''', 105-114 </ref>
{|
|-
|width=110pt|Fruits:||width=200pt|''[[Astelia nervosa]]''||width=110pt|Leaves and buds:||width=200pt|''[[Euphrasia zelandica]]''
|-
| || ''[[Coprosma pseudopunctata]]''|| ||''[[Gentiana bellidifolia]]''
|-
| ||''[[Coprosma pumila]]''|| ||''[[Gentiana spenceri]]''
|-
| ||''[[Coprosma serrulata]]''|| ||''[[Gnaphalium traversii]]''
|-
| ||''[[Cyathodes colensoi]]''|| ||''[[Hebe pauciramosa]]''
|-
| ||''[[Cyathodes fraseri]]''|| ||''[[Hebe vernicosa]]''
|-
| ||''[[Caultheria depressa]]''|| ||''[[Lagenophora petiolata]]''
|-
| ||''[[Muehlenbeckia axillaris]]''|| ||''[[Nothofagus solandri]] var cliff.''
|-
| ||''[[Pentachondra pumila]]''|| ||
|-
| ||''[[Podocarpus nivalis]]''|| ||
|-
|Seeds:||''[[Aciphylla colensoi]]''||Flowers:||''[[Celimisia coriacea]]''
|-
| ||''[[Aciphylla ferox]]''|| ||''[[Celimisia discolor]] var ampla''
|-
| ||''[[Aciphylla monroi]]''|| ||''[[Celimisia spectabilis]] var ang.''
|-
| ||''[[Astelia nervosa]]''|| ||''[[Cotula pyrethrifolia]]''
|-
| ||''[[Hebe ciliolata]]''|| ||''[[Gentiana bellidifolia]]''
|-
| ||''[[Pimelea oreophila]]''|| ||''[[Gentiana patula]]''
|-
| ||''[[Pittosporum anomalu]]''|| ||''[[Gentiana spenceri]]''
|-
| ||''[[Plantago raoulia]]''|| ||''[[Haastia pulvinaris]]''
|-
| || || ||''[[Luzula campestris]]''
|-
|Roots:||''[[Anisotome pilifera]]''||Entire plant:||''[[Anisotome aromatica]] var arom.''
|-
| ||''[[Celmisia coriacea]]''|| ||''[[Ourisia sessilifolia]]''
|-
| ||''[[Gingidium montanum]]''|| ||''[[Ourisia caespitosa]]''
|-
| ||''[[Notothlaspi australe]]''|| ||''[[Ourisia macrophylla]]''
|-
| || || ||''[[Ranunculus insignis]]''
|}
==References==<!-- http://www.birdlife.org/news/pr/2007/08/sex_ratios.html -->
{{reflist}}
* {{IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2006|id=14729|title=Nestor notabilis|downloaded=11 May 2006}} Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is vulnerable.
</div>
==External links==
{{commons|Nestor notabilis}}
* [http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/podcover.aspx?id=32901 Department of Conservation Kea page]
* ARKive - [http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/birds/Nestor_notabilis/ images and movies of the Kea ''(Nestor notabilis)'']
* Kea research at the University of Vienna [http://www.nc.univie.ac.at/index.php?id=7246]
[[Category:Birds of New Zealand]]
[[Category:Parrots]]
[[Category:Nestor]]
[[da:Kea]]
[[de:Kea (Vogel)]]
[[es:Nestor notabilis]]
[[eo:Keo (birdo)]]
[[fr:Kéa]]
[[ko:케아앵무]]
[[id:Kea]]
[[it:Nestor notabilis]]
[[he:קיאה]]
[[hu:Kea]]
[[mi:Kea]]
[[nl:Kea (vogel)]]
[[ja:ミヤマオウム]]
[[pl:Kea]]
[[pt:Nestor notabilis]]
[[ru:Кеа]]
[[fi:Kea]]
[[sv:Kea]]