sweet kea
plays tricks on people
naughty bird
Kea are the pranksters of new Zealand’s bird world. They are notorious amongst trampers, (in Australia we say bushwalkers) for the tricks they get up to, getting into huts and tents and re-arranging items, stealing things or undoing bootlaces etc etc. We saw two of these lovely birds in the Rainbow Springs sanctuary. As we walked through their enclosure one slowly made its way down to Jill’s eye level with intent to do mischief, peering at her shoes. The other one hopped onto the ground and began creeping up behind us.
Have a look at this brief video captured on security camera at the entrance / exit of a road tunnel. The witches hats are for controlling cars, the Kea has kindly helped out because there were no humans to do the work.
Haiku hound 
This bird has a kind face. So glad you share for those of us who might never get to meet them.
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Very cute Annette but also very naughty if you look at the video link.
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What a fun video! The green and black plumage on this interesting creature is striking and what a beak.
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The bird in the flesh is quite a devil, they are fearless of humans, almost like they are domestic animals.
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They’re very skillful pranksters *LOL* and they get away with everything too.
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In the South Island they have Kea patrols who sometimes have to catch and relocate the birds to stop them driving people in settlements or hiking huts mad.
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Wahhaha I can only imagine the havoc they causes 😂
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Aww, that was a cute video. Thanks for sharing, Denis. Love the Kea and your haiku. 🙂 xx
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Thanks Vashti. They are a South Island bird, highly intelligent and looking for challenges.
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Haha, he has a bit of devilment in his eyes alright. Strong enough aren’t they? Those traffic cones aren’t light….
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Very strong beaks and legs. They grab and take off with all kinds of items, if they cannot fly with them they drag them as in traffic cones.
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What a fun bird! I had never heard of them before and the video is wonderful! Thank for sharing this Denis!☺
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I had heard of them by friends who had previously met them while bushwalking in the south Island. If there is a bird that has mischief written all over its face its the Kea.
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Very entertaining to learn about the ‘sweet Kea’ Denis. They sound like quite the Tricksters whatever their real intentions.
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Thanks Janice, I think only a Kea knows what a Kea is planning. They come down out of trees and walk up yo people with no fear at all.
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They seem to be busy little pransters, lol. Just how big are they?
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For Parrots they are big, the body like a smaller chicken but a wicked beak
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