NEW ZEALAND's BIRDS

Kea

(Nestor notabilis)

(Photo: Kiwi Wildlife Tours)
A highly intelligent bird the endemic alpine parrot the kea is never-the-less still a rare bird. Considered by high country farmers to be a threat to their sheep, there was a bounty on their heads from 1890 to 1971 when at least 150,000 were killed. It's possible that kea used to ride the backs of moas in search of fat deposits as some now do with sheep trapped in snow. Now fully protected, kea are a firm favourite with trampers and mountaineers.


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 Takahe - photo copyright Manu ToursBullers Shearwater - photo copyright PPKaka - photo copyright Tom Lynch

 

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