Two Kea Chicks Hatch at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

We are happy to report the 2 kea chicks hatched in April at the Cincinnati Zoo are doing well! Both are male and were named Sheldon and Dennis.  Updated pictures are posted in "My Picasa Photos."

Support Kea Conservation

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden's

Project Saving Species

is partnering with the Kea Conservation Trust to study wild kea populations and reduce environmental threats in their habitat. You can support kea conservation by making a donation or purchasing buttons.

Buttons $2.00 Each

Visit us at the Kea Encounter during Festival of Lights and Penguin Days, or email Jackie at jackie.bray@incrediblekea.com to donate or purchase buttons. Thank you for your support!

http://cincinnatizoo.org/savingspecies/

Problem Solving: Kea vs. Crow

Researchers from Vienna and Oxford continue to explore the technical skills and innovation of the kea parrot and the New Caledonian crow, arguably the two most intelligent avian species in the world. The shape of the kea's beak makes it impossible for the bird to hold the stick tool straight out in front of it, so the kea must be creative to complete the tasks.

Read more at :  http://goodnews.ws/blog/2011/06/15/parrots-and-crows-show-their-inventive-side/

The research paper by Alice M. I. Auersperg, Auguste M. P. von Bayern, Gyula K. Gajdon, Ludwig Huber, and Alex Kacelnik can be accessed at:  http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0020231

Tool Use in Kea

The Dominion Post published a video by researcher Alice Auersperg at the University of Vienna confirming tool use in kea. The story can be viewed at http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5086247/Kea-prove-they-are-smarter-than-most#share  .

The research paper by Alice M.I. Auersperg, Gyula K. Gajdon, and Ludwig Huber can be accessed at http://academic.reed.edu/biology/courses/bio342/2010_syllabus/Study_questions/Nov22/AMNE.pdf  .

Kea Conservation Trust Video

Roland Kahurangi has created a wonderful video for the Kea Conservation Trust that explains the challenges faced by kea in the wild. The KCT works tirelessly, in cooperation with other organizations, to resolve human-kea conflicts and protect this priceless species from extinction. Please support their efforts by becoming a member or making a donation at:   http://www.keaconservation.co.nz/  .

Kea Parrot Intelligence

Research regarding the intelligence of kea confirms kea are able to plan ahead and contemplate solutions to complex problems. New Zealand Channel 3 News reports kea are never to be underestimated!

http://www.3news.co.nz/Are-keas-smarter-than-we-think-/tabid/367/articleID/171132/Default.aspx

Thane talks about the Kea

Cincinnati Zoo's Thane Maynard talks about the wonderful kea. Callie is being her sweet self, but Nestor takes exception to being ignored!

Cincinnati Zoo Recycling Animals

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is the greenest zoo in America. The zoo is so green even the animals recycle! Thane Maynard highlights the zoo's recycling animals, including my friend, Callie the kea.

Antonio is fascinated by the camera. If only the videographer would hold it still!

Photogenic Kea

If you have photographs of the kea that you would like to share, contact me! You can also enter our photo contest!




Christmas photos by Dylan Burroughs at the Cincinnati Zoo

Kea solve Puzzles

The kea are excellent at solving puzzles. Jack solved this rocking labyrinth puzzle as part of an experiment I conducted comparing the problem solving methods of kea to preschool children.

This puzzle was built by my stepfather, James Valentine, and family friend, Tom Bostic. The orignial puzzle idea was obtained from: 
Freeman, M. and Jenkinson, T. (2004). Kea (Nestor notabilis) Behavioural Enrichment Manual. Auckland Zoo Native Fauna Division. Auckland, New Zealand.

Here's a fun Speight's Summit Beer commercial that features a kea getting even with a litterbug!