The Kea. A species of parrot. It’s the only one of its family that could live above the snow line. And the only one that actively looks for meat. The carcass of a mountain goat. This adult male Kea has a razor-sharp beak, which is well suited for butchery. Flesh rich in calories will help him through the winter. But he doesn’t have it for himself for long. A gang of juvenile Keas. These younger Keas shadow the older, more experienced adults, to learn the tricks of mountain survival and where to find food. But while waiting their turn, there’s time to play. There’s a benefit to this apparently carefree behaviour; it helps establish long-lasting relationships between the youngsters and even diffuses tension. So when one Kea finds a rare but substantial meal, it often willingly shares it. And that is very important behaviour, particularly in winter when food is so scarce.
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