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This New Zealand fearless little bird lives out of
food scraps and occasionally enjoys tearing the rubber
from car windscreens for sport.

Hi Zafra,

I read about these little destructive dudes, dudettes.
Where do you find these birds and how can you protect your vehicle ?

(going to NZ in November and wouldn't want damage to the hire car)

Regards,
CD

You normally find them in the South Island and you are advised not to feed them; some silly tourist do. How do you protect you car? I am not sure. I guess don't park it near waste bins. They are wild birds and you can see a formidable beak.

Want to protect your car? Either don't park it in the high country or put a good cover on it.

Nice image Zafra - you've captured the inquisitiveness in the eye and the feather colours are perfect.


Linda

Myrtle wrote:Want to protect your car? Either don't park it in the high country or put a good cover on it.

You can remove your windscreen wiper blades before you leave your car.
But they'll still find something...


Daniel

DanielA, your picture is great with the two birds in action and the background and foreground put them more into context. You should be able to sell it to a travel guide and may be have a sign "Do Not Feed the Birds" in Japanese or Chinese. Would you mind if I copy it (as is)to show some of my incredulous friends? I normally send the link to my friends of my pictures and I got a couple of emails doubting the veracity of my statement. The bird I photographed was in an enclosure that's why parts of it are whitish and it looked so lovable - till I saw its beak. I saw a couple on the wild being fed by Japanese tourists, but the bus driver couldn't stop and besides he was mad at them.

By the way, thank you guys for your response.

We struck them in the car park at Fox Glacier.

We were the last car there in the afternoon, and they just hung around. When we got in the car, they hopped onto the windscreen, but they didn't make any lunges at the wipers. I think we got some piccies from the P&S, but nothing worthwhile as it was getting dark.

The birds are fearless and amusing to watch - they have a bit of character, and the kids loved them.

Removing wiper blades is not just a Kea thing, I've had them removed from my car by magpies in Toorak Gardens (SA).

Michael

i had one of the wee bast's land on my shoulder when i was 10 and twisted my ear lobe round a few times.....
i had my revenge

zafra52 wrote:DanielA, your picture is great with the two birds in action and the background and foreground put them more into context. You should be able to sell it to a travel guide and may be have a sign "Do Not Feed the Birds" in Japanese or Chinese. Would you mind if I copy it (as is)to show some of my incredulous friends? I normally send the link to my friends of my pictures and I got a couple of emails doubting the veracity of my statement.

No problems Zafra. You can forward along the link.
All my New Zealand shots are publicly visible on my website.

Daniel

You have there very nice pictures. Thanks