Keas are mountain parrots, related to kakas, and are now restricted to the Southern Alps, as well as the mountains of Otago, Westland, Nelson and Marlborough. Their numbers have been dramatically reduced by hunting over the last century. They were accused by farmers of attacking sheep and causing injuries and deaths. Although this fact has been confirmed, its extent seems to have been greatly exaggerated. Keas are now protected by law.
Keas are intelligent, social, highly inquisitive birds.
They are often seen around tramping huts, or in flocks at ski fields. At Mt Cook they can sometimes be seen at the Village. Forest birds Despite the scarcity of forest in Mt Cook National Park, a variety of forest birds are present. Bellbirds and tuis have rarely been recorded, but common species include riflemen, bellbirds, tomtits, and silvereyes. Birds of the riverbeds Riverbeds are a significant ecosystem in Mt Cook National Park because of the large braided rivers.