: a large mostly dull green New Zealand parrot (Nestor notabilis) that is normally insectivorous but sometimes destroys sheep by slashing the back to feed on the kidney fat
Examples of kea in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
So far, the only animals that have demonstrated the ability to make choices based on statistics are our fellow primates and the kea, an alpine parrot from New Zealand.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 4 May 2023
The Verheul family, from Dunedin in the southeast of the country, had just finished exploring part of the Kepler Track when a kea -- a native New Zealand species -- grabbed their GoPro and flew off over woodland.
—Sara Spary, CNN, 4 Feb. 2022
Local governments in New Zealand paid bounties for killing kea until the practice was ended in 1970, according to a news release from the aviary.
—Sara Tabin, The Salt Lake Tribune, 27 Apr. 2021
But Kermit is a kea, a green parrot with a sharp, curved beak.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 8 June 2011
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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
So far, the only animals that have demonstrated the ability to make choices based on statistics are our fellow primates and the kea, an alpine parrot from New Zealand.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 4 May 2023
The Verheul family, from Dunedin in the southeast of the country, had just finished exploring part of the Kepler Track when a kea -- a native New Zealand species -- grabbed their GoPro and flew off over woodland.
—Sara Spary, CNN, 4 Feb. 2022
Local governments in New Zealand paid bounties for killing kea until the practice was ended in 1970, according to a news release from the aviary.
—Sara Tabin, The Salt Lake Tribune, 27 Apr. 2021
But Kermit is a kea, a green parrot with a sharp, curved beak.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 8 June 2011
Cite this Entry
“Kea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kea. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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