(Nestor notabilis) Husbandry Manual - Kea Conservation Trust

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4.7.2 Forming new breeding pairs (adapted from Fraser, 2004)
When establishing a new pair, never introduce a new kea immediately into an
existing enclosure. Kea can be very territorial, and will need time to get used to
each other, otherwise aggression may occur which can result in death.
Additionally all new kea must be quarantined to minimise possible disease
transfer. Stress during transport can depress an animal’s immune system thereby
increasing its susceptibility to any baseline conditions in local birds. Stress can
also result in expression of an underlying disease lying dormant in a previously
healthy individual.
Pairing of birds at the beginning of the breeding season (June/July) may increase
the likelihood of a positive outcome.
Pairing of birds should always be supervised by a person who is experienced in
kea behaviour and particularly those who have experience of the normal
behaviour of the birds involved. Introductions should follow the same general
protocol as stated in section 4.4.3.
4.7.2 Nesting/breeding requirements
At the beginning of the breeding season nesting material should be made
available to pairs within the enclosure whether they are recommended to breed or
not. Nesting/breeding pairs may become territorial during this time so disturbance
of the nest box should be kept to a minimum. If other kea are housed in an
enclosure with paired birds, behaviours should be monitored to ensure that overt
territorial aggression does not occur between birds.
In captivity, most pairs breed on the ground rather than using the traditional nest
log or box. A semi-natural nest site can be constructed by placing a plywood box
of approximately 1 metre square at ground level and then lining it with rocks
inside and out. An access door should be included to allow for nest cleaning and
observations. The birds can gain access to the nest area through a 200 mm
diameter concrete pipe, or equivalent, of approximately 1.5 metres long (Pullar,
1996). Nesting materials which may be provided for kea should include tussock,
hay/straw, logs (for shredding), wood chips (untreated), fern fronds and moss.
Although there is significant variation in successful nesting boxes, it is imperative
that all natural nesting materials are dry, clean and free of mould spores (refer
section 4.5.2 for information on aspergillosis).
Food should be increased as appropriate during this period to ensure the female
is not depleted of calcium etc (refer nutrition section). Egg/s should not be
removed from non-breeding pairs without substituting with dummy egg/s.
Females will lay a number of eggs (up to 7) over a period of a week. Birds have
been observed eating their own eggs in captivity (KCT, 2009). It is not known if
this occurs in the wild although there is evidence that they do eat the eggshells
(Barrett, 2008). If eggs continue to be eaten, fertile eggs may be removed and
placed in an incubator, while dummy eggs are secreted into the nest instead.
Once the female has completed laying eggs and is sitting then the fertile eggs
may be returned to complete incubation.
Kea Conservation Trust Final 25/11/2010