New Zealand Kea's

[goosey]

Some years ago I watched a fascinating programme about Kea's, a sort of parrot in New Zealand. These are really mischievous birds that would steal food from people, but their biggest crime is vandalism. They would pull out the rubber fittings on car windscreens and break aerials and windscreen wipers. It sounds a bit comical, it probably is if you are a visitor, but what is it like living close at hand with these birds? I am sure they were protected at the time of the programme.
I would love to hear if anyone has had first hand experience of Kea's and a photo would be brilliant .

[paul m]

I confused the Kea with the Kakapo - Kea - which are flightless parrots and severely threatened by cats, rats and other pests.
Reading that piece, it does look as if the conservation of keas is a little confused

Would be nice to hear from someone in New Zealand about these and other fascinating fauna.