The Kea
species is an endemic species to the Southern Alps of New Zealand. It is also
named Maori and it is the only mountain parrot species in the area. They are
highly intelligent and quite social parrots adapted to harsh environmental
conditions.
But, their
characteristics such as omnivorous appetite and curiosity which help them
survive have created conflicts between the Keas and humans for about 150 years.
A depletion of the bird population has been recorded due to predation and
persecution. Only about 1000 birds are remaining by now and this drastic drop
has led these species to be marked as a Nationally Endangered species.
Kea
in flight – witness the orangish feathers underneath and blue on top.
Keas are
quite seriously curious about humans and this curiosity has led them into
sickness or peril according to BOTY — these birds are often fed artificial food
and poisoned materials and hit by cars.
However,
they aren't strangers to mess around with humans but smarter and inquisitive
than we expect.
One of
the renowned conservationists, David Attenborough's documentary titled ‘The
Smartest Parrot’ for BBC too portrayed this amazing bird which is the most
intelligent and playful of its species. This specific documentary was filmed on
the west coast of South Island, New Zealand.
The Kea
Conservation organization was grateful for this documentary due to the national
recognition gained to this bird species that is on the nationally endangered
list. The organization also expressed its belief of the Kea being an ambassador
of New Zealanders than the reclusive Kiwi.
The
co-founder of the organization, Tamsin Orr-Walker said, “A lot of people are
saying the Kea should be our national bird because they so much epitomize what
it is to be a New Zealander: adventurous and up for a challenge and maybe a bit
misunderstood,” she said.
“I think
New Zealanders are starting to realize how special Kea are; they are
interactive birds and seek out humans which is very unusual. The fact they are
declining from our mountains is alarming.”
One of
the main research studies from the Kea Conservation Trust revealed that
2-thirds of the Kea chicks do not achieve the fledgling phase as their nests
are ground-based. This has become a big issue since the chicks have become easy
prey for possums, rats, and stoats. (incidentally, the NZ government has
promised to eradicate possums by 2050)
Identification
The Kea
is a strong, large, olive green colored bird that can have stronger flights
than the rest of the parrot community. The parrot has scarlet underwings and a
slender grey-black bill. They are sexually dimorphic creatures. Females' body
mass is about 20% less than males'. The bill is shorter. Juveniles have yellow
ceres and eyelids but fade to grey with maturity.
Their
call sounds loud and long and it is high-pitched. They have a descending cry
which may be broken “kee-ee-aa-aa”, or unbroken “keeeeeaaaa”. Many quiet
contact calls are produced. Juvenile calls are unstable and it is an
uncontrollable squealing or whooping sound.
Confusion
between the Kea and other parrot species happens rarely. Kaka which is another
type is olive-brown in color, smaller, and rarely seen above the timberline.
They have a peculiar characteristic to excavate the wood of live trees, whereas
the Keas do not. Even the way of calling is quite different and the same to a
harsh grating ‘skraaarks’ or fluting whistles. Moreover, Kakas are large,
flightless, and nocturnal animals that lack scarlet underwing.
Distribution
and habitat
The Keas
spread over about four million hectares along with the axial ranges of the
South Island, from Farewell Spit to Waitutu, plus the Kaikoura Ranges. And also
these birds can be seen from coastal dunes to high alpine peaks. They are most
commonly witnessed in montane forests and adjacent subalpine and alpine zones.
There is an absence of them from the Marlborough Sounds, Catlins, Blue
Mountains, and both the North Island and Stewart Island.
They
often nest in native forests. Different types of sub-alpine scrubs, native
forests, and herb fields can be listed as their foraging habitats. The Keas
socialize on wind saddles above or below the timberline and prominent rocky
outcrops. Many of them have been reported in pine forests adjacent to native
forests too.
IMAGE:
Terry Whittaker/Flipa/ImageBroker//Rex/Shutterstock
Another
new study reveals that one warble has the potential to spread an infectious
desire to play.
As much
as you chuckle along with a sitcom laugh track, the warbling sound of the Keas
can motivate another Kea to be extra rambunctious.
The
researchers played several tracks to the Kea during the heights of Arthur’s
Pass on New Zealand’s South Island. Some of them were a nondescript electronic
tone, a few standard kea calls, the call of the South Island robin, and
finally, the notorious kea warble.
As per
the reports of the co-author, Ximena Nelson who is an associate professor at
the University of Canterbury, the Keas suddenly start warbling even when
they're alone meaning that they can play alone by engaging in acrobatics or
throwing stones.
“If they
were in company, if they were beside another kea that wasn’t playing, they’d
immediately go tackle the other kea,” she explained. “It became quite clear
that one particular call, the warbling call, was associated almost exclusively
with one behavioral state — play.”
Another
documentary published in Current Biology, says that Keas shows a concept called
“positive emotional contagion.” For example, this means the desire to laugh
when you hear someone else's laughter.
“It’s
like a mood, but short-lived,” Nelson described. “It’s a sense of glee if you
like.”
Alex
Taylor, a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland has observed the traits
of Kea. His question is to know whether warbling call leads to higher play. In other
means to get to know whether positive emotional contagion is real.
“It looks
an awful lot like it,” he stated. “We just see play for a short amount of time,
so that suggests it is a positive emotional contagion. It’s looking very
similar.”
According
to Nelson, the report on Keas doesn't highlight the feelings of the bird. “A
human might tell you that they feel [playful], but to demonstrate it is a
different story altogether,” she stated. “Of course, a kea can’t tell you.”
Barry
Harcourt/Stuff
Usually,
the animals play when they are young to test their boundaries or to test the
energy. But, Kea, on the other hand, has the strength to play even during old
age. What are the reasons for this high spirit? Nelson suggests a few theories:
The socialized feature is the main characteristic. They have no real dominant
hierarchy — no “pecking order if you like.”
Apart
from these, Keas were officially announced vulnerable to extinction before the
introduction of feral animals in New Zealand. “In evolutionary terms, they probably
didn’t have a huge amount to worry about in terms of predators,” she added. “So
they probably had, if you like, a lot of time on their hands.”
Anyhow,
one thing is apparent: The playfulness of the Keas is remarkably higher than
the other animals. “Play could be an outlet for social aggression, it could be
a way to build social bonds. With the kea, it’s really hard to know,” stated
Taylor.
Well in
case you hear a warbling call of a Kea next time, stop for a while and try
doing something fun with it!
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