Kea. Worlds only Alpine Parrot (Nestor notabilis). New Zealand - stock photo

This bird is in flight riding the high winds next to the State Highway 73, which leads across Arthur’s Pass between Greymouth and Christchurch. Its colourful underside visible.The Kea, unlike its more exotic cousins in tropical climates is an un-colourful olive green bird. However when they fly they displays the underparts of their wings which are a brilliant, dark orange. The Kea is close to extinction and listed as threatened. It is estimated that there are are less than 7000 birds in its only habitat in the high Southern Alps of New Zealands South Island. The New Zealand government granted full protection to the worlds only alpine parrot in 1986. It is illegal to interfere or harm these inquisitive birds, The name kea is from Māori, probably representation of their in-flight call – 'keee aaa'.