The Kea Badge - Region 1 Scouting - SCOUTS New Zealand
The Kea Badge - Region 1 Scouting - SCOUTS New Zealand
The Kea Badge - Region 1 Scouting - SCOUTS New Zealand
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I DISCOVER - THE PARROT<br />
To survive in the harsh alpine environment <strong>Kea</strong>s have become<br />
inquisitive and nomadic social birds - characteristics which help<br />
the <strong>Kea</strong> find and utilise new food sources. <strong>The</strong>ir inquisitive natures<br />
often cause kea to congregate around novel objects (like shiny<br />
new cars) and their strong beaks have enormous manipulative<br />
power (they can pull off windscreen wipers!)<br />
<strong>Kea</strong>s are a protected species. This means they are carefully<br />
monitored by the Department of Conservation. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Kea</strong> grows<br />
up to be 50 cm long and although mostly vegetarian, also enjoy<br />
grubs and insects.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Kea</strong> is related to the forest kaka and is thought to have<br />
developed its own special characteristics during the last great ice<br />
age by using its unusual powers of curiosity in its search for food<br />
in the harsh icy landscape.<br />
Nests are usually found among boulders in high altitude forest<br />
where the birds lay between two and four eggs during the<br />
breeding season from July and January. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Kea</strong> is rated as one of<br />
the most intelligent birds in the world.<br />
For more information go to www.doc.govt.nz<br />
scouts.org.nz<br />
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