(Nestor notabilis) Husbandry Manual - Kea Conservation Trust

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• Other Solanum species including potato
• Tutu (Cariaria Spp.)
• Yew (Taxus baccata)
• Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
4.6.3 Diets and supplements
Kea as opportunist omnivores may be offered a variety of plant and animal
products such as they would have access to in the wild. The more varied the diet
and presentation then the more likely that birds will be able to fulfill their daily
nutritional requirements and natural behaviours. A varied diet will also ensure that
kea remain healthy, do not become obese and are mentally stimulated.
A mixture of browse species and choice of all food groups will provide for daily
requirements.
Food Types and amounts:
For an example of a daily feeding regime and presentation, refer to Appendix 6.
Foods must be of a type and diversity that increase daily motor activity and
opportunity for display of natural behaviours (foraging, digging etc).
Enclosure vegetation may also be seen as a food resource for kea and so may
need replacing over the course of a year. Digging up of grasses and perennials to
access the roots or grubs in the soil is normal foraging behaviour for kea and
provision of grass in the enclosure will provide additional interest and activity for
the birds. Small shrubs and large trees may also be utilised as food sources. The
introduction of browse species on a
daily basis can reduce the amount of
damage to planted trees.
Browse species of particular interest
to kea include cabbage tree
(Cordyline australis), coprosma
species, puha (Sonchus oleraceus),
and willow.
Note: A list of browse species will be
built on by holders over the next few
years which may be accessed as
part of the appendices.
Amounts per bird: This will depend
on size and presentation of food.
Parrot food pyramid from avianenrichment.com
However care must be taken to
ensure that all food groups are given
in appropriate proportions (i.e. foods at the bottom of the food pyramid should
comprise the majority of feed and foods closer to the top in decreasing
quantities).
Kea Conservation Trust Final 25/11/2010