Skip to main content

Story: Birds of mountains and open country

Kea eating carrion

Image
Kea eating carrion

Kea survive mainly on plant foods, but they are quick to make use of more sustaining animal fat, flesh and bone marrow when available. This deer’s foot is an opportunity for some extra nourishment.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10041886

by Rod Morris

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

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/14025/kea-eating-carrion (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Christina Troup, published 1 March 2009.