Feasibility of tracking parrots with GPS telemetry confirmed

A Kea (Nestor notabilis) wearing a GPS logger on a backpack harness. Image by B. McKelveyYes, it is possible to study parrots with GPS trackers -- you just have to make them beak-proof. For a new paper in The Auk: Ornithological Advances, Erin Kennedy, George Perry, and Todd Dennis of the University of Auckland and Joshua Kemp and Corey Mosen of New Zealand's Department of Conservation tested the feasibility of tracking parrots with GPS dataloggers in Arthur's Pass National Park in New Zealand. Their parrot of choice was the Kea (Nestor notabilis), a large, intelligent, mountain-dwelling bird perhaps best known for its fearless interactions with tourists and their cars.

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NZ mountain plants may depend on declining kea

VITAL FUNCTION: University of Canterbury PhD student Laura Young is studying kea behaviour and how the bird helps maintain native plant life. Over summer many holiday trampers will get close up views of New Zealand’s most charismatic bird, the kea.

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Playground aims to distract mischievous kea

A kea playground has been set up to stop them from damaging equipment at a logging site.A kea playground is being trialled at a logging site in St Arnaud in a bid to keep the cheeky parrots entertained and stop them from damaging equipment.

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Sticky beak is New Zealand's tooled-up kea

Kea on Mount Hutt Carpark. Image by Geof WilsonCrafty kea have once again proven their status as New Zealand's smartest birds, this time being caught on camera using sticks to set off stoat traps.

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Pesky parrots won't be shifted

Kea, Avalanche Peak. Image by Rick CoxPesky kea are again bothering homeowners in Kaiteriteri and the message from authorities is that humans have to learn to co-exist with the curious birds.

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