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Story: Birds of mountains and open country

Young kea

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Young kea

Kea are very sociable, and groups of young birds playing are a common sight. Play is important for a species that learns from experience. For the first two or three years of life, kea have a yellow eye-ring and cere (fleshy patch above the bill).

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Department of Conservation

Reference: 10031120

by Rod Morris

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How to cite this page

Christina Troup, Birds of mountains and open country – Kea – the mountain parrot, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/14006/young-kea (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Christina Troup, published 1 March 2009.