Photo: Markus Koljonen (Dilaudid) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Kea
Nestor notabilis
Kea (Nestor notabilis) — Parrots & Cockatoos of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Kea (Nestor notabilis) is a member of the Strigopidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 863 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Psittaciformes
- Family Strigopidae New Zealand Parrots
- Genus Nestor
- Species notabilis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 863 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Strigopidae
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Kea is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Kea is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Kea (Nestor notabilis) is a species of bird in the Strigopidae family, part of the order Psittaciformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU montane South I. (New Zealand).
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 863 g, with a wing length of about 30.9 cm and a tail of around 16.9 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 63,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Kea?
The Kea is a large bird that weighs around 863 g.
Where does the Kea live?
The Kea is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU montane South I. (New Zealand), where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Kea belong to?
The Kea (Nestor notabilis) belongs to the Strigopidae family, in the order Psittaciformes.
What does the Kea eat?
The Kea is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Kea migrate?
The Kea is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Kea endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
What sound does the Kea make?
1 real field recording of the Kea — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Kea's range?
The Kea has a mapped global range of about 63,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Strigopidae
Extinct
Vulnerable
More in Parrots
Vulnerable
Endangered
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern