# data[].attributes.body
Orr-Walker, T., Kemp, J., Adams, NJ., Roberts, LG. (2019) "All about Kea - a framework to focus kea conservation initiatives"

Greer, A., Gyula, K., Ximena, N., (2015) "Intraspecific variation in the foraging ecology of kea, the world's only mountain- and rainforest- dwelling parrot"

Young, L., Kelly, D., Ximena, N., (2011) "Alpine flora may depend on declining frugivorous parrot for seed dispersal"

# data[].attributes.headline
Lower Extinction Risks: Kea monitoring and 1080 repellant trials

# data[].attributes.subject
Lower Extinction Risks: Kea monitoring and 1080 repellant trials

# data[].attributes.body
Kea monitoring is very important to track their population size and nest success. Monitoring can be challenging due to the extreme habitat of these birds, but is important to reduce their extinction risk. Monitoring is also needed to measure the trees in the area for signs of heavy seeding. Large seed production years can lead to a boom in rodent species such as rats and mice, which along with posing their own threats to kea chicks, also increase the stoat populations which are predators to kea. One method often used to reduce these mammalian predators is the use of the chemical poison 1080. This chemical is a highly concentrated secondary compound created by plants and does not bioaccumulate in the environment. 1080 is often spread in pellets across a large area using aerial deployment, especially in areas where trapping efforts are difficult such as alpine environments. Although this is an effective method against mammalian predators, keeping kea safe while controlling the predators is difficult. Kea have been found dead from eating 1080 pellets and research has shown that kea that regularly interact with people are at greater risk. To find a solution to this problem, the New Zealand Department of Conservation is conducting a trial with bird repellant to see if it can reduce the kea interactions with predator 1080 bait.

# data[].attributes.headline
Lower Extinction Risks: Eradication of mammalian predators 

# data[].attributes.subject
Lower Extinction Risks: Eradication of mammalian predators 

# data[].attributes.body
The trapping and eradication of mammalian predators will benefit the kea population and will promote successful nests. Invasive mammals such a stoat and brush tailed possum and major threats to kea chicks and eggs. Trapping and eradication of these mammals is the only way to reduce their populations to save the endemic birds of New Zealand.

# data[].attributes.headline
Lower Extinction Risks: Public Awareness and Education 

# data[].attributes.subject
Lower Extinction Risks: Public Awareness and Education 

# data[].attributes.body
Public awareness and education will lower kea extinction risks because kea are naturally attracted to humans and human activity. In the past, this has lead to conflict and killing of kea. The public perception of kea is important because in some areas they are still seen as nuisances and destructive pests. Education programs and community awareness will create a more positive perception towards kea and will reduce conflict between kea and people. An important part of this is also engaging with local Maori iwi (Maori tribes) and help to promote the cultural significance of the kea and their status as a taonga (treasured) species.

# data[].attributes.body
The specific alpine habitat of the kea is shrinking due to invasive mammalian predators who are moving across the mountains and into alpine habitats.

# data[].attributes.body
Kea curiosity and neophilic behavior (love of new and novel items) often results in the ingestion of lead nails and paints which can be deadly to them.

# data[].attributes.body
Kea are naturally very intelligent and curious birds. They are one of the most intelligent parrot species and are said to have an intelligence equivalent to a three year old child. Their mischievous behavior can lead to conflict with people. Accidents with man made objects and cars can be deadly and, although it is illegal, some kea are still being shot for damaging property.

# data[].attributes.body
Avian diseases are a threat to kea because they further reduce the population and reduce genetic diversity. Kea are at high risk for avian influenza and Psittacine beak and feathers disease which has been seen in captive parrots. Avian influenza has been controlled in New Zealand due to their strict biosecurity but it is still a risk to kea if they are exposed to it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Lead poisoning is a very serious issue for kea. Lead fixtures on old buildings in areas of the backcountry (e.g. huts, mines) and where kea and human habitats overlap have been identified as a source of lead exposure for kea. Kea of all age groups sampled in these areas have been found with significantly higher blood lead levels than those in remote areas.

Kea have been observed chewing these fixtures, and damage to lead-bearing buildings has been observed throughout the kea's range. Any level of lead exposure is considered unsafe, as lead can have subclinical effects that can compromise survival (e.g., depressed immune function, impaired development, decreased cognitive function etc.), as well as directly causing illness and/or death. Removal of lead from all buildings in the range of keas is therefore enormously important.

This is a huge job that will require cooperation between contractors, Department of Conservation and private land owners. There are options to involve volunteers through appropriate partnerships with organisations that have suitable H&S practices already in place.

You can find out more about this project .

Kea are unusual in that they actively seek out and interact with people and their property. This 'neophilia' - love of new things, has brought people into conflict with kea to an extent which is unprecedented with another endemic avian species.

Because of conflict with high country sheep farmers a legal government bounty was initiated in the late 1860's which resulted in an estimated 150,000 kea killed up until the early 1970's. Fewer than 5,000 individuals remain across an area of 3.5 million hectares and they are now listed as Nationally Threatened (NZ Threat Classification List) and Vulnerable, population decreasing under the IUCN Red List. Although kea are now fully protected under the Wildlife Act, their investigative behaviour often results in destruction of human property and as a result they are considered a nuisance in areas where they cross over with people. As such kea deaths due to direct human persecution are recorded each year.

Find out more

Although Department of Conservation (DOC) and the Kea Conservation Trust (KCT) receive reports of conflict situations on an annual basis, it is recognised that many more conflict events go largely unreported as people deal with the situation illegally.

Kea carcasses recovered are all sent to Massey University for necropsy and a number of these are found to have died of shotgun injuries, blunt trauma or poisoning.

Current legal methods of conflict resolution include relocation of kea to another area by the KCT or DOC, or legal killing of nuisance kea (via a DOC permit). Neither solution is considered sustainable or ethical and finding more positive solutions to this ongoing issue are now a priority.

Introduced mammals such as mustelids (stoats and ferrets), possums and feral cats are key predators of kea and are present across the extent of the keas habitat. These predators impact on the survival of kea nestlings and the survival of adult females. Stoats can reduce nest survival to near zero in the stoat plague years that follow mast events. Episodes of high adult female mortality may also occur during stoat plagues.

Controlling predators through intensive pest control programmes is therefore vital for the keas future. Predator control methods include baiting (aerial or ground-based applications) and trapping but must be used with caution as kea have been negatively impacted by both control methods, particularly in areas where kea are used to being fed by people. Risk mitigation is necessary at these sites to minimise the incidence of unintentional by-kill through aerial control operations. Read the KCT's position statement on pest control here.

View the video of Department of Conservation workers monitoring kea nests in Westland (please note, some content may be disturbing).

Feeding wild kea interferes with their normal foraging activities and encourages them to hang around human areas for longer periods of time as they increasingly identify people with food. There are several negative consequences to this change in behaviour, i.e. conflict with local communities, ingestion of toxic items, car accidents and lead poisoning.

Any feeding of wild kea teaches them to seek out people for a food reward AND discourages them from foraging for food in the wild. Feeding wild kea does not help them but instead poses a serious threat to their survival.

Read Our No Feeding Policy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Nine threats to the wild kea population are currently identified. These may be broadly defined as either environmental and ubiquitous or human and localised.

# data[].attributes.headline
Intrinsic Factor: Habitat specialization 

# data[].attributes.subject
Intrinsic Factor: Habitat specialization 

# data[].attributes.body
Keas live in a very specific habitat composed of alpine forests and grasslands. These areas are steep with thick forest and are often covered in snow and ice. They play an important role as seed dispersers in their alpine ecosystem and are keystone species. Kea have adapted specifically to this habitat and have developed a mutualistic relationship with many plant species and the health of the alpine ecosystem depends on the kea as the only long distance seed disperser.

# data[].attributes.headline
Extrinsic Factor: Previous population decline

# data[].attributes.subject
Extrinsic Factor: Previous population decline

# data[].attributes.body
In the late 1860s there was conflict between kea and sheep farmers. The sheep farmers saw the kea as a threat to their sheep and put the high loss of sheep onto the keas. In the 1870s the government put a bounty on kea, which stayed in place until the 1970s and killed an estimated 150,000 birds. This massive loss in population still has impacts today and contributes to the challenges of kea recovery.

# data[].attributes.body
Kea are attracted to lead in their habitat such as buildings with lead nails and flashings as well as cars with tire weights. Keas are drawn to lead because it has a sweet taste to them. A kea can easily develop lead poisoning, which is deadly.

# data[].attributes.headline
Extrinsic Factor: Invasive Mammalian Predators

# data[].attributes.subject
Extrinsic Factor: Invasive Mammalian Predators

# data[].attributes.body
Predation by introduced mammals is a huge threat to kea. Stoats and feral cats are the major threats, with stoats targeting kea eggs and young chicks and cats targeting fledglings. Possums and rats also prey on kea chicks and eggs. The kea are particularly vulnerable because they nest on the ground in burrows that are large and easy to find. Studies have shows that in areas without pest control, kea nests only have a 40% success rate.

# data[].attributes.body
Red List Status: Endangered
This status was assessed in 2017 and had changed from Vulnerable in 2016 to the current status of Endangered. Population trend is decreasing with about 4,000 adults in the population.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
My Account

You must log in to access advanced IUCN Red List functionality. Please enter your e-mail address and password below.

Register for an account

To save searches and access a historical view of information you have downloaded you are required to register for an account.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
My Account You must log in to access advanced IUCN Red List functionality. Please enter your e-mail address and password below. Register for an account To save searches and access a historical view of information you have downloaded you are required to register for an account.