Can you have a kea bird as a pet?

Keas are known to be able to reach a lifespan of more than 50 years when kept in captivity. However, since it is now illegal to keep them as pets due to their endangered status, Keas are very unlikely to be found in captivity except for those that are purposely kept to conserve the numbers of these birds.

Are kea Cheeky?

Known as the ‘Clown of the mountain’, the Kea is a mountain parrot that’s native to New Zealand and touted as one of the most intelligent birds on the planet. They’re cheeky characters that are well known for being mischievous, inquisitive and intelligent.

How smart is a kea parrot?

In a new study, researchers show that kea, an unusual parrot species native to New Zealand, are shockingly good at predicting future outcomes of an event — a skill previously studied only in great apes and humans. In other words, parrots may be able to understand probability.

Can kea parrots talk?

Although kea are not generally known to “talk” like some other parrots (particularly the African Grey Parrot), they have a wide range of sounds that they make, depending on what message they want to get across to each other.

Are KEAS birds of prey?

What doesn’t usually come to mind is a bird supplementing its diet by feasting on mammals (unless, of course, it is a bird of prey, such as an owl, hawk or eagle). Then again, Kea parrots are unique among parrots in many ways. Their nickname as the “naughty alpine parrot” is quite telling.

Can a kea bird Talk?

Why do kea like shiny things?

Even before there was a glut of Europeans adventuring in the uplands, keas would seek out the few farmers or miners in the area. Because hey, they have trinkets and shiny things to play with! This curiosity, coupled with the brain power to work together and solve logical puzzles, make keas incredibly obnoxious thieves.

Do KEAS work together?

Previous studies showed that kea are able to cooperate in experiments based on the loose-string paradigm, but success rates were low, except when tested in stable dyads. We trained kea with low success rates to attend to the handling of the string by a human partner.

Do KEAS eat meat?

Keas are New Zealand’s parrots but they are not content with fruit and nuts. They eat meat which is why they hang around the burrows of the island’s huge shearwater colonies. While the adult shearwaters are all out at sea the chicks are hidden away in their burrows – and the keas know it.

How long do KEAS live for?

Breeding and life expectancy In captivity some parrot species can live to 80 or older, but the oldest known age for a wild kea is 20 years.

Can you own a kea parrot as a pet?

Technically, you are not allowed to own a Kea as a pet in a manner that is as simple as buying them from a pet store. There are stringent rules in place to make sure that only those qualified to own a Kea can keep them in captivity because of this parrot’s status as a protected and endangered bird.

Are Kea parrots dangerous to humans?

The famously feisty kea parrots, native to New Zealand, are known for swiping people’s belongings to investigate. An endangered species, the birds are considered smart and curious-and often annoying to humans.

What is the closest relative of the kea parrot?

Their closest relative is the flightless kakapo ( Strigops habroptilus ). Together, they form the parrot superfamily Strigopoidea, an ancient group that split off from all other Psittacidae before their radiation. The kea is a large parrot measuring 46 to 50 cm (18 to 20 in) in total length, with some specimens possibly reaching 55 cm (22 in).

Is the Kea bird a pest?

The kea’s notorious urge to explore and manipulate makes this bird both a pest for residents and an attraction for tourists. Called “the clown of the mountains”, it will investigate backpacks, boots, skis, snowboards, and even cars (most commonly the rubber areas e.g. window frames), often causing damage or flying off with smaller items.