We have had a relationship issue in the Kea enclosure at the Auckland Zoo.
The Kea is the world's only alpine parrot, inhabiting the highlands and mountains of NZ's South Island. They have adapted to their harsh environment by becoming extremely intelligent. One set of tests conducted by academics and the Dept of Conservation indicate they are among the world's smartest, having a level of intellect roughly equating to a human 4 year old.
They are always seeking to explore and are extremely curious, which gets them into trouble with humans, because they will use their beaks and claws to undo screws and nuts, remove the rubber from car trim and windscreen wipers. One of my colleagues returned to his car to discover that one of them had learned how to undo tyre pressure caps and apparently liked the sound of escaping air - resulting in three flat tyres.
They have long-since learned how profitable it is to hang around those humans, and they will descend on unguarded packs - undoing straps and zips or Velcro, or more destructively biting through the fabric to get at interesting stuff (they love bling) and, of course, food. At one famous tourist spot, the Homer Tunnel, that gives direct access to the famous Milford Sound, they congregate for tour buses, performing and hoping for hand-outs (bad idea for their health) and they will then hop on the roofs of coaches and camper vans, surfing them through the tunnels before switching sides and returning - chattering to their colleagues as they pass each other.
There are currently five of the super rare Kea at the facility - four males and one female. Now, a bonding takes place for life under normal conditions, but when humans take a hand things can get complicated.
It had been decided to isolate a particular couple to see if they would produce offspring - we need many more Keas - but it was soon clear they were not getting along. The male was keen enough but the female was having none of it. He would go to her, get an absolutely abusive response and go off to 'give her space'. After considering relationship counselling, finally they introduced her to a potential new partner. The results were spectacularly more successful!
All images, hand-held available light. From RAW, basic lens corrections and some noise reduction then drastically reduced to publish.
Building the relationship, much grooming of the female (left) by the male
Strutting his stuff, as things progressed the male (now on the left) flapped his wings to show the spectacular red underwing plumage. This adaptation helps the couple find each other in the often visually challenging conditions of their unique alpine environment.
When the climactic moment they retired to the privacy of the of an area sheltered from our gaze. Ain't love grand...
click here to view the gallery
