Do not feed kea!, a photo from Fiordland, South Island

Photographer's Note

Meeting with kea on the way to Milford Sound.

The kea is a large species of parrot in the family Nestoridae found in forested and alpine regions of the South Island of New Zealand. The kea is the world's only alpine parrot. Now uncommon, the kea was once killed for bounty due to concerns by the sheep-farming community that it attacked livestock, especially sheep. In 1986, it received full protection under the Wildlife Act.

Kea are known for their intelligence and curiosity, both vital to their survival in a harsh mountain environment. Kea can solve logical puzzles, such as pushing and pulling things in a certain order to get to food, and will work together to achieve a certain objective. They have been filmed preparing and using tools.
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.
Current population estimates suggest that between 3000 and 7000 individuals are left.

Bigger beta pictcure

Interesting backpack

pajaran, snunney, holmertz, PaulVDV, ChrisJ, pierrefonds, ikeharel, jhm, cornejo, Fis2, jadir, maloutim ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

snunney (130967) 2018-05-13 1:57

Hello Malgo,
Excellent capture of this splendid specimen, the like of which I have not seen before. Perfectly exposed with superb colours and clarity.

Going to have the left eye operated on tomorrow so will be absent from TE for a couple of days.

holmertz (101988) 2018-05-13 2:30

Hello Malgo,
In Sweden the kea is probably best known for featuring in many crosswords. The main photo gives us a very good look at it in its natural surroundings, where the grass and the ground provide amazingly well matching colours. It could be hard to discover one if it is standing still in such an environment. It is very well camouflaged. Strictly photographically the workshop photos are more amusing, especially #2 where it is sitting on the roof of the car.
Kind regards,
Gert

lousat (138609) 2018-05-13 2:37

Hi Malgo,a perfect pic for treknature too,i think that this specie is never showed on this website..eheh...magnificent capture and interesting note,finally they are protected after the bad moments as i read in your note. The 2 WS are very funny too,well done! Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

PaulVDV (62802) 2018-05-13 2:46

Hello Malgo,
What a beautiful feathers of this bird!
Its wings and tail also have beautiful colours.
It looks a bit like the kea has put on a camouflage suit :)
Nice that this bird is not shy. I like the picture when it's investigating the backpack a lot. A bit like the monkeys in India but probably this bird isn't really dangerous.
Amazing that it can prepare and use tools!
Best regards, Paul

ChrisJ (171222) 2018-05-13 4:22

Hello Malgo,

A good catch of the inquisitive parrot. The workshops are amusing. Good color, sharpness and saturation and I like the clarity of the water. The plumage does tend to camouflage the bird well in its natural environment. Tfs!

COSTANTINO (115539) 2018-05-13 4:32

Hello dear Malgorzata and have a nice time
am a happy new day Monday
original version
it is the first time
I see a kea a large species
of parrot in the family
Nestoridae
welldone
regards
Costantino

pierrefonds (113590) 2018-05-13 5:01

Hi Malgorzata,

The vegetation is framing well the bird. The point of view is showing the details of the Kea. The sharpness is very good. The light is bringing out the colors. Have a nice day.

Pierre

Silvio1953 (220605) 2018-05-13 5:49

Ciao cara Malgo, il correttore automatico ti ha trasformato in Claudia, vattelappesca come ha fatto, gran bella cattura del delizioso pappagallo, magnifici colori naturali, ottima nitidezza e magnifici colori, bravo, ciao Silvio

ikeharel (112439) 2018-05-13 6:09

Fantastic picture of this bird, never saw this specie, of course, Malgo.
The colors are stunning, and you got an excellent visual effect from relative close range.
Bravo for that beauty,
Ike

Cricri (176) 2018-05-13 7:50

Hi Malgorzata
Fantastique couleurs de l'oiseau comme les couleurs de la végétations, superbe capture
Beau dimanche
cricri

jhm (211734) 2018-05-13 10:18

Hello Malgo,

I've a small parrot (lovebird agapornis) but the same manners.
Three very nice picture, I like with pleasure.
Pleasant composition and lovely presentation too.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

cornejo (61504) 2018-05-13 11:08

Hola Malgo, muy buena fotografía de este interesante ave, muy bien captada en esta interesante imagen, con buena nitidez, luz, color y calidad. Muy buen e interesante trabajo perfectamente realizado, mis felicitaciones amiga mia. Gracias por compartir este bello trabajo.

Buena noche y feliz comienzo de semana.
Afectuosos saludos desde el sur de España.
Angel.

Tue (91574) 2018-05-13 11:22

Hello Malgo,
A beautiful capture of this bird from such close range. Its feathers look amazing, both the pattern and the colours, the latter going really well together with the surroundings too.
Lars

Royaldevon (85606) 2018-05-13 12:36

Hello Malgo,

What a beautiful bird!
It is well camouflaged in your photograph, matching the b/g extremely well.
I loved watching its antics on the video.
I wonder how anyone could kill this most attractive, inquisitive parrot!

Thanks for sharing this,
Bev :-)

Fis2 (169731) 2018-05-13 12:53

Czesc Malgosiu!
To sie udalo ustrzelic papuge.
Znakomity kadr i niesamowita kolorystyka.
Papuga wyjatkowo spokojna ladnie zapozowala.
Troche przeostrzylas za duzo daje po oczach :(
Milego nowego tygodnia.
Krzysztof

jimmyjimmy (6164) 2018-05-13 20:29

Hello

Nice catch. I would have never guessed from the thumbnail. The bird almost looks unreal. Great note.

Jimmy

gervaso (28177) 2018-05-14 4:20

Hello, Malgo!

Beautiful and different colors of this parrot, that almost make it hide in this environment! The scene was captured with perfect light and sharpness! Wonderful composition! Well done!

Nicou (193806) 2018-05-14 9:19

Hello

Il se fond dans le tout comme un caméléon quel bel oiseau quelbec crochu et rendu sur son plumage superbe vue.
Bravo et amitié
Nicou

ktanska (44468) 2018-05-14 11:20

Hi Malgo,
This intelligent bird looks great. So nice to see it this close. Good warning about possible damage they might do. I think I've seen some nature document of keas.
Kari

carlo62 (81265) 2018-05-16 15:31

Ciao Malgo
non ricordo di aver mai sentito parlare di questo pappagallo!!!
Molto bello e interessante, la tua nota mi ha messo curiosità, dovrò informarmi meglio.
Saluti
Carlo

jmdias (114278) 2018-05-24 12:23

malgo

curious the shapes of the feathers with these darker frames. the colors are unusual for parrots despite the shapes are the same. very beautiful flagrant of nature. yes, sometimes it is difficult convivence between wild animals and mankind.

take care

jorge

mcmtanyel (67657) 2018-05-24 18:53

Hello Malgo,
It is a gorgeous animal, very nicely photographed. While the main entry shows the whole bird, the WS photo is the more interesting one.
Regards,
MT

maloutim (13617) 2018-08-03 23:48

Good morning Malgo,
Catching up on your gallery after my absence !
I love this picture and the way the bird blends into the scenery around it !
A very intresting note about the kea ! I am glad the population is left in peace now, and that it will manage to develop even more !
Great catch on your part !
Have a good day !
Marie-Louise.