(Nestor notabilis) Husbandry Manual - Kea Conservation Trust

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female roles (i.e. females have not been seen to regurgitate to males in available
literature, whereas known male-male pairings can show mutual regurgitation. The
“female” of a male- male pairing generally shows no or minimal solicitation
behaviour whereas females do). Both males and females may be active in nest
building. A full proof confirmation of sex is presence of a female sitting on eggs.
Although the absence of eggs does not necessary confirm that a female is not
present, it should be viewed as suspect.
At other times of the year, and on the whole, adult females are less gregarious
than males and may be more cryptic.
Observations over a relatively short period of time (several hours over a couple of
days) may be carried out by volunteers/students and should provide a good
indication of a bird’s behaviour and interactions between other con-specifics.
5.3.3 DNA Feather Sexing
The sex of kea may also be identified through the presence or absence of female
specific DNA isolated from tissue extracted from the base of a sample of feathers.
The method of collection is as follows:
1. Pluck approximately six feathers from each bird (the chest is a good site from
which to take the sample).
2. To avoid potential contamination of the samples, avoid touching the shaft of
the feather where it attaches to the bird’s body. Alternatively, gloves should
be worn.
3. Place the feathers in a paper envelope.
4. Label the package with your name, institution name, date, and individual ID of
the bird (band number or colour/transponder number).
5. Store at room temperature.
6. Send off the samples in an envelope with a covering letter or email to:
Private Bag Palmerston North
Attn: Ian Anderson
Equine Blood Type & Research Unit (EBTU)
Drysdale Drive
Massey
Phone: 06 356-9099 ext 7261, 7204
Email: I.L.Andersib@massey.ac.nz
Once the results are received, please inform the Captive Management
Coordinator (see section 2.3) so that studbook information can be updated.
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Minimum Standard 5 – Identification
(refer Internal Audit Document in Appendix 1).
• All kea held in captivity must be individually identified by a metal band as
stated by DOC banding protocol within three months of hatch, or within
three months of being transferred into captivity (for wild caught birds)
• Band numbers are to be sent to DOC banding office
(bandingoffice@doc.govt.nz)
Kea Conservation Trust Final 25/11/2010