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Kea - Mountain Parrot

Television (Full Length) – 1993

This documentary tells the story of the inimitable kea. The 'Clown of the Alps' is heralded as the world’s smartest bird (its intelligence rivals a monkey’s). Kea are famous on South Island tracks and ski fields for their insatiable (and destructive) inquisitiveness. Curiosity almost killed the kea when it was labelled a sheep killer, and tens of thousands were killed for a bounty. After shots of baby kea being fed, there is extraordinary night footage in clip four of the 'avian wolf' in action. The award-winning film makes a compelling case for the charismatic kea as a national icon.

These are the mischievous monkeys in parrot's feathers, intoxicated with their own cleverness.
– Narrator Barry Paine on kea hijinks in ski area carparks

Key Cast & Crew

Profile image for Rod Morris

Rod Morris

Director, Producer

Generic Profile image for Barry Paine

Barry Paine

Narrator, Writer

Generic Profile image for Paul Donovan

Paul Donovan

Camera

Generic Profile image for Glenda Norris

Glenda Norris

Associate Producer

Profile image for Neville Copland

Neville Copland

Composer

Generic Profile image for Merv Aitchison

Merv Aitchison

Sound Mix

See all 12 credits

Produced by

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