(Nestor notabilis) Husbandry Manual - Kea Conservation Trust

13
3.3 Distribution, habitat and home range
Kea are now restricted to the South Island of New Zealand. They inhabit lowland
areas of podocarp forest on the West Coast of the South Island, through to alpine
beech forests, alpine meadows and mountain scree slopes along the length of the
Southern Alps. A separate population inhabits the Kaikoura Mountains on the
East coast of the South Island. It is not known if this is a genetically distinct
population isolated from the rest of the South Island population. Genetic testing of
this population is currently being undertaken by researchers at Otago University
(Robertson, pers. comm., 2009).
Fig 3. Present distribution of kea in the South Island of
New Zealand (Robertson et al, 2007)
A significant decline in kea distribution from the 1980’s has been identified in the
North West part of the South Island (Robertson et al., 2007).
Territories are extensive and can cover up to 4kms² (Jackson, 1969; Elliott &
Kemp, 1999). Breeding pairs may have one or more nest cavities positioned on a
spur and their territory will extend from the forest floor up to the alpine area above
tree line (Kemp pers. comm., 2009). There has never been evidence of more than
one breeding pair occupying a spur (ibid).
3.4 Habits, movements and social structure
Although kea are considered to be diurnal they are generally more active early
morning and late afternoon/evening.
Kea Conservation Trust Final 25/11/2010