: a large olive green omnivorous parrot (Nestor notabilis) of New Zealand that is typically found in Alpine regions
Examples of kea in a Sentence
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This is the story of a kea—which is a species of alpine parrot from New Zealand—named Bruce.
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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
The kea was released in Cobb Valley on July 8, experts said.
—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
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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
The kea was released in Cobb Valley on July 8, experts said.
—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
Cite this Entry
“Kea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kea. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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