(Nestor notabilis) Husbandry Manual - Kea Conservation Trust

64
winter months of June – December
(Fijn, 2003). If a male dies during the
period before fledging, the chicks
invariably perish.
Wild kea generally nest in large
underground chambers, often within
beech forest. Nests have been found
from sea level to 1600m and may be
located under large rocks or fallen logs.
They are usually situated close to a
flight runway. Some nests found in the
wild are large enough to allow a person
to enter and turn around within the nest
chamber area/s. The nest chamber/s is
generally lined with shredded wood,
moss, grasses and feathers.
Wild kea chicks in a burrow filled
with dry grasses.
(Photo: Tui de Roy, 2009)
Progeny should be removed from the breeding aviary well before the next
breeding season. Conflict and injuries are likely to occur when juveniles interfere
with the nest site and attempt to interact with the breeding pair. The adult male
can become particularly aggressive to his male progeny.
Kea nest being checked by Josh Kemp (DoC)
2009
Young birds can be transferred to a colony situation where they learn to socialise
with a larger group of birds. Birds introduced into male-female groups will
eventually select their own mates. However, natural pair selection is not always
appropriate in a controlled breeding situation because the birds do not necessarily
choose mates that will result in maximum retention of genetic diversity within the
captive flock (Pullar, 1996)
There have been no accounts to date of injury caused by kea to humans entering
the enclosure during breeding season even in the case of reproductively active
birds housed in public walkthrough aviaries.
Kea Conservation Trust Final 25/11/2010