The world's only alpine parrot lives here

Kea are found only in the South Island's mountainous regions, including the peaks and passes around Queenstown, Fiordland, and the Southern Alps, making them the only parrot species in the world adapted to alpine life. Most parrots live in tropical or subtropical forests, but kea evolved to cope with snow, freezing temperatures, and rugged high-country terrain, surviving on a diet that ranges from alpine plants to insects and even scavenged scraps.

Their intelligence is legendary. Kea are considered among the smartest birds on the planet, capable of solving multi-step puzzles, working together to access food, and famously dismantling car wiper blades, boot linings, and backpack zips at ski field car parks. Researchers at the University of Auckland and elsewhere have studied their problem-solving abilities for decades, comparing their cognitive skills to those of primates.

Despite their cleverness, kea are endangered, with an estimated population of only 3,000 to 7,000 birds left in the wild. Visitors travelling through the Crown Range, Milford Road, or the Homer Tunnel in Fiordland have some of the best chances of spotting one, though DOC advises against feeding them, as human food can harm their health and encourage risky behaviour around vehicles.

**Q: Where is the best place to see a kea near Queenstown?** **A: The Homer Tunnel on the Milford Road and the Crown Range summit are two of the most reliable spots, as kea are drawn to car parks and roadside areas where visitors stop.**

**Q: How many kea are left in the wild?** **A: Estimates from the Department of Conservation put the wild kea population at between 3,000 and 7,000 birds, all confined to New Zealand's South Island.**