Tamsin Orr-Walker, a co-founder of the Trust said: “A lot of people are saying the Kea should be our national bird because they so much epitomize what it is to be a New Zealander: adventurous and up for a challenge and maybe a bit misunderstood. I think New Zealanders are starting to realize how special Kea are; they are interactive birds and seek out humans which is very unusual. The fact they are declining from our mountains is alarming.”

According to the research conducted by the organization, 2-thirds of chicks sadly do not achieve the fledgling phase. This is because their nests are ground-based, and they are easy prey for stoats, rats and possums. The world’s only mountain-dwelling parrot is known for its playfulness and novelty-seeking nature. Kea are very intelligent, curious, have impressive foraging skills, and have learned to adapt to the numerous changes in their environment.

Orr-Walker adds: “Kea are one of the most maligned of New Zealand birds, as well as one of our most loved. One of the most interesting things about kea is they are one of the few wild species that seek out humans. That is really rare, and it is that inquisitive nature that is getting them into trouble because a lot of the ways humans interact with them is endangering their survival.”

He believes that the threat to this special bird has been was three-pronged – from introduced species, lead-poisoning from old-fashioned alpine dwellings, and their interactions with humans. This amazing and bold bird has been portrayed in a BBC documentary called ‘The Smartest Parrot”, by renowned conservationist, David Attenborough.