Observation #22266
- When
- 2024-10-06 17:00:00
- Where
- Deaths Corner, Mid South Island
- What
- Sighted 4 birds
- Status
- Verified (Public)
- Who
- Rachel McIntyre
Details
Location Details
At Otira Viaduct lookout
Comments
Happy to provide better quality of images if required. \ It was drizzly when we arrived and the rain became steadier over the 30 minutes we stayed with them. I'm not sure which kea was initially at the top of the pylon.
Behaviour
A kea called loudly before landing on the top of the pylon at Otira viaduct lookout. It stayed there for about 20 minutes. There was calling across the valley with other kea during this time. Just as we got in the car to leave, the kea at the top of the pylon swooped down and landed and was joined by three more kea. One of these kea (I think kea 3) immediately landed in a crouched position with wings held out from it's body slightly (see photos emailed). It called keeeaaa in this position and remained here for around one minute. We noticed the same posture later on for about one minute also. Kea 3 and 4 enjoyed running/hopping after us and biting our shoes/laces and pants gently. Kea 2 and 3 enjoyed enjoyed jumping on the car to bite the antenna and rubber seal around the door (Kea 3 also ran at the camera and bit it when I crouched down to try and take a photo!) Kea 2 may have some slight damage to his bill? He has what looks like a bit of a dent or notch in his bill. All four kea were inquisitive and playful, but only three stayed, we noticed kea 1 had left soon after arrival.
