optomist

By optomist

Kea fight

Kea; Only alpine parrot in the world, ranges from upper fringes of Beech forest to the highest peaks. Mainly resident in winter, may visit forests at lower altitudes when compelled by hard weather. Encountered in pairs or groups of up to 10 or so. Playful and inquisitive, kea is a great attraction at tourist centres, although not so popular when they use their strong beaks to tear rubber seals from car windows, undo zip fasteners on packs and even let air out of car tyres. They are very clever birds. Food; is mostly berries,leaves,nectar,roots,insects and carrion. breeding; Kea build nests, which maybe continuously added to over several years. The female incubates her clutch of 2 or 3 eggs for nearly 24 days. Her mate and sometimes other adults will help rear the chicks which fly after about 80 days. they have wonderful underwing colouring, outer plummage is dark olive green. distinctive call- loud ringing Kee-Ah mostly when flying. only found in the South Island, mainly on the West coast. All this came about because I went to Willowbank Wildlife Park this morning with NPS a photography group. It was great fun and the shutter got lots of action. these two Kea were fighting on the feeding station, they ended up on the ground and the one overpowering the other still" muscled" him on the ground.

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