kea

noun

ˈkē-ə 

plural keas also kea

: a large olive green omnivorous parrot (Nestor notabilis) of New Zealand that is typically found in alpine regions

Keas are interesting birds—curious and smart. They're not afraid of you, and will walk right around you and poke at your shoes. If you leave your boots outside the cabin at night, keas have been known to fly off with them to inspect them …

—John Bordsen

Examples of kea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is the story of a kea—which is a species of alpine parrot from New Zealand—named Bruce. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 6 May 2026

Figure 1 Dominance hierarchy, agonistic behaviour, and physiological correlates in male captive kea at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. — Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2026

Bruce, lacking his primary weapon — the powerful hooked upper beak kea typically use for biting — should have been at a profound disadvantage. — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 22 Apr. 2026

In 2021, scientists at the Kea Animal Minds Lab at the University of Auckland studied Bruce and other non-disabled kea and found that Bruce exhibited unusual preening behavior to compensate for his missing upper beak. — ArsTechnica, 20 Apr. 2026

It is estimated that there are between 1,000 and 5,000 kea left in New Zealand’s South Island — the only place in the world they are found. — Miami Herald, 11 July 2025

Known locally as Johnny rooks, these mischievous, playful and often destructive falcons excel at problem-solving, acting rather like keas, a highly intelligent alpine parrot that lives in the mountains of New Zealand. — Grrlscientist, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023

The kea, an endangered parrot, finished in third place with 12,060 votes. — Margaret Osborne, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Nov. 2023

This was a task that keas are reported to have managed with ease but most of the giraffes failed. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, 4 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

Maori

First Known Use

1862, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for kea

• be
• bee
• bree
• cree
• fee
• flea
• flee
• free
• gee
• ghee
• glee
• he

Geographical Definition

Kea

geographical name

ˈkā-ä 

variants or ancient Ceos

ˈsē-ˌäs 

island of Greece in the northwestern Cyclades Islands island area 67 square miles (174 square kilometers)

Note: Kea's chief town is also named Kea.