The kea is the only parrot species in the world to include the true alpine environment as part of their habitat. Survival in these harsh alpine conditions has been hypothesised to be the cause of the generalist behaviour of kea, leading to their heightened explorative behaviour and curiosity. Kea are also widely regarded as being extraordinarily intelligent. It is their intelligence that suggests that kea may possess a sophisticated communication system. I conducted a study exploring the potentially complex vocal repertoire of the kea. My study was conducted with wild population of banded juvenile and fledgling kea in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park between February 2003 and April 2004. I obtained 449 vocalisations from 16 identified and several unidentified kea. The results of this study confirmed that the vocal repertoire of the kea is exceptionally large for a parrot species, encompassing over 17 vocalisations. This study revealed five vocalisations previously undescribed in the kea repertoire and showed for the first time that vocal repertoire of immature kea may be different to the repertoire of adult kea. Two possible gender specific vocalisations were also revealed. The study of apparent vocal responses revealed that kea appear to be able to identify vocalisation types and respond accordingly using combinations of increasingly complex vocalisations. This is also the first study to take advantage of the similarity between human and parrot vocal systems for the kea, by utilizing powerful human speech analysis software. The results of this analysis allowed the identification of subtle differences in kea vocalisations, including the presence of graded signals, not identifiable by use of spectrogram analysis.

The kea is the only parrot species in the world to include the true alpine environment as part of their habitat. Survival in these harsh alpine conditions has been hypothesised to be the cause of the generalist behaviour of kea, leading to their heightened explorative behaviour and curiosity. Kea are also widely regarded as being extraordinarily intelligent. It is their intelligence that suggests that kea may possess a sophisticated communication system. I conducted a study exploring the potentially complex vocal repertoire of the kea. My study was conducted with wild population of banded juvenile and fledgling kea in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park between February 2003 and April 2004. I obtained 449 vocalisations from 16 identified and several unidentified kea. The results of this study confirmed that the vocal repertoire of the kea is exceptionally large for a parrot species, encompassing over 17 vocalisations. This study revealed five vocalisations previously undescribed in the kea repertoire and showed for the first time that vocal repertoire of immature kea may be different to the repertoire of adult kea. Two possible gender specific vocalisations were also revealed. The study of apparent vocal responses revealed that kea appear to be able to identify vocalisation types and respond accordingly using combinations of increasingly complex vocalisations. This is also the first study to take advantage of the similarity between human and parrot vocal systems for the kea, by utilizing powerful human speech analysis software. The results of this analysis allowed the identification of subtle differences in kea vocalisations, including the presence of graded signals, not identifiable by use of spectrogram analysis.

Lead is a highly toxic metal that has been used by humans for over 2000 years. Over this time it has become increasingly apparent that despite its usefulness, lead is one of the most highly toxic substances known to man. Current research into lead exposure of humans focuses on low-level chronic exposure and its effects on learning and behaviour. However, investigations into lead exposure of wildlife are still focussed on mortalities, particularly of waterfowl and raptors, with little known about low-level exposures or the effects on other species. This study examines the exposure of free-ranging kea (Nestor notabilis) from the Aoraki/ Mt Cook village and national park, takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) from Tiritiri Matangi, Kapiti and Mana Islands, and the lead associated syndrome of clenched-claw paralysis and leg paresis in harriers (Circus approximans) in New Zealand. Thirty-eight kea had detectable blood lead with concentrations ranging from 0.028 mg/L to 3.43 mg/L (mean = 0.428 mg/L ± 0.581). Analysis of tissue samples found that seven of 15 birds died with elevated tissue lead. Lead exposure may be an important contributing factor in kea mortality. As a result of these findings, lead abatement in areas frequented by kea is being considered. Eighteen of 45 takahe had detectable blood lead concentrations ranging from 0.015 mg/L to 0.148 mg/L (mean = 0.028 mg/L ± 0.042). Analysis of tissue samples from offshore island and Murchison Mountains birds found that all had detectable lead. Despite levels of lead exposure in the population being low and unlikely to result in overt clinical signs, it is widespread and there may be significant exposure of birds living around old buildings. An investigation into the clinical signs, pathology and response to treatment of clenched-claw paralysis and leg paresis in wild harriers was carried out. Harriers with clenched feet had significantly higher blood lead concentrations than those without. In conclusion, lead is a major factor in the expression of this clinical syndrome but other factors not yet identified are playing a role. This study demonstrates that lead is widespread in the New Zealand environment exposing a diverse range of avifauna, and has made some progress towards exploring some of its effects on health and survival.