Kea Parrots Play With Snowballs & Discover One To Be Particularly Intriguing!

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Intelligent Kea Parrots love to be entertained and living in the snow gives plenty of opportunity for that. Our Snowball Cam soon puts their intelligence to the test.
From our programme 'Spy in the Snow' for the BBC
For more clips from Spy in the Snow watch:
'Lost Otter Pup in Blizzard - Will Mum Find Him In Time?' • Lost Otter Pup in Bliz...
'Penguin Chicks Stand Up To Giant Petrel...With The Help of a Friend!'
• Penguin Chicks Stand U...
Narrated by David Tennant
Produced by Matthew Gordon
Creative Director: John Downer
Follow John Downer Productions:
Twitter / johndownerprod
Facebook / johndownerproductions
Instagram / johndownerproductions

[@Melborooni1]

Drivers in a place near Arthur’s Pass were confused. There was a large traffic cone that kept sitting in the way of traffic, no matter how many times it was placed to the side of the road. They set up a camera to catch the prankster in the act. Authorities found out that it was a Kea that kept moving the cone into the middle of the road to block traffic. Apparently the bird thought it was hilarious.

[@davidt3956]

I had to look it up: mashable.com/2016/11/29/kea-bird-tricking-drivers-milford-sound-new-zealand/

[@TheMissstify]

That’s amazing!! Clever birds! 🦜

[@Hyraladen]

😂 that's amazing!

[@C4H10N4O2]

I did that once, with a deviation sign. I was drunk. It was the main street. I don't know if it's good, but me and this bird have the same sense of humor.

[@VulpisFoxfire]

Huh, strong bird, considering the size of cones...

[@pidgedidge]

I love how these birds just casually gallop around

[@queenofrainbowzebras9775]

You made me imagine a Kea with hooves and I'm now scared.

[@queenofrainbowzebras9775]

@@littlegrape9335 Ok..

[@clivelambert-oe7kg]

it looked like trotting to me but soo cute i agree

[@susanprendergast7384]

They skip like preschoolers!. Love them. Do they talk like other parrots?

[@MillyKKitty]

*Haha Look guys it rolls!* "Runs happily after it"

[@404killer]

thats not how quotations work

[@MillyKKitty]

@@404killer shhh

[@zilaxia]

Milly KawaiiKitty _thats not how they work_

[@MillyKKitty]

@@zilaxia ~Shhh~

[@Mangled_Babe]

***THaT's nOt HOw iT WOrKs***

[@lizs.8611]

Snowball: "Hello there" Bird: "HIPPITY HOPPITY *you are now my property* "

[@yevgeniyslipynin9403]

"Hello there" "Birbian Keanobi"

[@renatocunha7216]

@@yevgeniyslipynin9403 you are a parrot one... *KILL HIM...*

[@eagleeyez1280]

WellDon your comment caught me off guard. Good one.

[@radsimp5710]

Ikea bird perhaps?

[@JackIsNotInTheBox]

They're not Indian LOL

[@thatdoodlebunny1593]

They’re so cute! They look like a cross between a falcon and a kakapo!

[@DremyInk06]

I mean... kakapo and Kea live in the same country so... basicly

[@maniacram]

That Doodle Bunny Falcons are cousins of parrots and not related to eagles at all!

[@legion999]

Theyre cute until they start to eat fat from living sheep

[@UndefinedBailiwick]

They both have the same evolutionary ancestor.

[@DravenGal]

legion999 Ah, a vegan are you?

[@user-yp8ok8gn8d]

Snowball vision: oh, hello there mister ke- *MY EYYYYEEEEESSSSS*

[@shely_D7vil]

World proceeds to become one giant black stripe*

[@jodidavis6595]

😂😂😂😂

[@milkbeforecereal7064]

YOU DIED

[@cheshirekitsune]

"DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW LONG IT TAKES ME TO REGENERATE IT"

[@pumpkin91ful]

"Not the Parrooot !!" Nick Cage.

[@soul8097]

Snowball cam: alright who are we gonna film today in the snow? "These snow birbs love playing with snowballs" Snowball cam: oH nO!!!!!!!

[@ursae-minoris]

sNoW bIrBs lOvE -eAtInG- pLaYiNg wItH sNoWbAlL cAm

[@OnionChoppingNinja]

* polar bear flashbacks *

[@felixbarkhahn8009]

I once had the pleasure of seeing one of them in action. Apparently, I left one car window slightly open and without me noticing, a Kea squeezed through, climbed into my car and emerged back out with a bundle of postcards. The next thing I noticed when returning to the car was said bundle held by the beak of said kea, the latter looking rather playful. In the end it took about 5 minutes of him jumping around enjoying the situation and me chasing after him until finally, I not only had my postcards back but also learned a valuable lesson about not underestimating those beautiful creatures.

[@MiTmite9]

Keas are infamous for shredding windshield wipers and other rubber bits on vehicles. Keas also like to tear up hiking boots/shoes left outside. They are known to be "destructive" little scoundrels. When I hired a car and drove around both islands of N.Z., I was intent on seeing as many beautiful sights and as much wildlife as I could in the six weeks I was there. When I got to Arthur's Pass (South Island), the Keas hanging about at the youth hostel there had a pretty bad reputation. I was told repeatedly by other visitors and hostel workers that the parrots would dismantle any and all bits on my car, so be warned. Being a bird lover and thinking to make friends with the parrots, I fed them bits of apple and other tasty (healthy) things. When I got up the next morning, other peoples' cars had been "violated" but mine was left intact. True story.

[@GelDouche12]

You shouldn't have fed them. There are signs everywhere saying this.

[@zacharywood9416]

Jackson this is about as helpful as watching an old video game stream and commenting “you should have pressed B” 😑 Not much help after the fact

[@GelDouche12]

@@zacharywood9416 Other people might read the comments and learn something.

[@zacharywood9416]

Jackson if there’s a sign they should be able to read it when they go 😇

[@MrDerebail]

Karma bro, spread love and receive love

[@joshriley2936]

Man, what spybot will they think of next? Spy-Air, a robot disguised as air?

[@phungyi4947]

iKea?

[@dirtydeedsdonedirtcheap3399]

Sneak:10000000000000000000000000000

[@odanemcdonald9874]

🤣 That's brilliant.

[@shineayandrews1869]

Joke’s on you, the US government already has that. It’s called having backdoors on all phones so your mic is always hot.

[@rose-pu3vu]

They have actually a robot with reflextive mirrors called inivsible robot

[@TomFromYoutube]

Snow parrots? Now I've seen it all.

[@christelheadington1136]

I was starting to think, I was the only one who didn't know such a critter existed.

[@maddypaddy8616]

They are from New Zealand. They are naughty because they will chew the rubber on the windscreen wipers off haha

[@jcjcjunk1881]

@@maddypaddy8616 can they be pets

[@maddypaddy8616]

@just a bomb no, but if you are a wild bird rescuer you can have one at home but only for rehabilitation. But it is easy to find them, if you go up to mt hutt they are everywhere

[@jcjcjunk1881]

@@maddypaddy8616 na I'm a bird enthusiast so to bad

[@JoshuaSicogal]

Kea: "Great, now how to throw it at those pesky humans =]"

[@JohnSmith-ik8nt]

Think ill have parrot soup tonight

[@odd5557]

U play animal jam?

[@kikiwg2264]

Just put the hidden camera in the fridge 😂

[@giuligm]

this is the most soothing channel on youtube, my god

[@o0Avalon0o]

"why are you crying? Lol" _The birds, they're just so cute and then they hit you with the beautiful ending. I'm just so happy bro..._

[@Sarah.Riedel]

Went to visit the mountains in the South Island one time. One kea distracted my friend while the other got into her purse and made off with her keys. Meanwhile a third stripped all the rubber molding off our rental car.

[@crazybirdybird4312]

Humans have all the fun toys!

[@dorkfacethefirst9533]

Aha I live in NZ and we know well enough to mind the Keas. Love these guys

[@ahuman3549]

Omg lol

[@whitinuibarton8429]

Lol

[@oo7naughtyusmaximus933]

I am from England , i travelled round New Zealand for 11 weeks and went to Milford Sound. While i was waiting for a boat......i heard a commotion going on in the car park. There were 3 kea parrots attacking a camper van and 2 extremely annoyed Japanese tourists with brooms .......i was laughing my tits off.

[@daretheclaw]

"Despite appearances, it's a way to make friends." I didn't know I had to beat people up to make friends. I've been doing it wrong this whole time! Thanks, internet!

[@dgdalt1518]

@TacticalMoonstone While OP was joking, i can't help but agree that these clubs actually do work for social bonding. Common interests are really good for strong friendship.

[@scottcarter2362]

I'm a South islander, and have encountered Keas several times over my years. They are the most fascinating animal to just sit back and watch. They are incredibly intelligent, and sometimes destructive lol. Also very beautiful too. The red on the underside of the wings is amazing. Such a cheeky and charismatic bird. I believe the worlds only alpine parrot. Love them.

[@jerry3306]

I love the way they walk, it looks like they are skipping.

[@24KinfO]

My name is Kia and people like how I walk 🤭

[@sheriffbutterball7824]

Kea: do you want to build a snow birb? snowball cam: *rolls away*

[@24KinfO]

No, I'm good.

[@yeahwelcometotheinternet._9766]

Those Parrots are so precious.

[@venereus]

Honestly so sad they're pretty endangered :(

[@matiidesign]

Yeah, Welcome To The Internet._. All parrots are precious

[@calebmoull6081]

Fun fact, this is the only species of alpine parrot. No other parrot lives in this type of biome.

[@astick5249]

@@calebmoull6081 not only that but they are predatory too

[@ProjectFlashlight612]

"The humans are trying to fool us with their robots again, guys. Act cute, and don't show them the death ray."

[@GiantPetRat]

That's it. You win the comments section.

[@fennecfoxfanatic]

Can parrots take over the world already? I welcome our birb overlords

[@shineayandrews1869]

If they do, I’ll just eat them to establish dominance. No dinosaur ancestor shall rule Grug.

[@ivyme5783]

Yeah like we gonna sit there calmly and watch a technologically undeveloped species taking over the world...somehow lol

[@a-bird-lover]

I'm prepared

[@Hyraladen]

Fennecfoxfanatic your comment is cringy... "Birbs" ..... Ya sure welcome these Keas... keas eat birds and small rodents and even sheep... So ya being peck and eaten alive by parrots is what we all want right?

[@fa14bi-78]

@@Hyraladen birb= parrots or cute birds. Just type birb in Google. It's not an official word but has an defenition.

[@CJCroen1393]

Keas are so cute. It's almost hard to believe that they also enjoy dismantling cars and ripping the flesh off of sleeping sheep.

[@aukemeijer1762]

CJCroen1393 wait what? Is That second thing for real?

[@CJCroen1393]

@@aukemeijer1762 Yep. To be fair, they mostly do that to...well, you know, _eat,_ not for fun/entertainment. But yeah, they're a tad more omnivorous than most parrots. Honestly that's part of why I love these birds so much--they're cute, smart and totally _badass._

[@GreenTeaViewer]

No, the sheep thing has never been proven and this persistent myth is why farmers still shoot these birds and they are now rare.

[@CJCroen1393]

@@GreenTeaViewer I read that they actually did manage to confirm that keas were doing that by catching them on night vision cameras (granted it was Wikipedia so maybe I should take it with a grain of salt). Even then, keas are still pretty scary--they also eat baby birds (and THAT I know was caught on tape, btw).

[@CJCroen1393]

@@GreenTeaViewer I want to add, of course, that regardless, I don't want to sound as if I'm condoning people killing them. Keas deserve protection.

[@TeaLurker]

0:57 aww. That little skip of excitement is just cute

[@Mrjmaxted0291]

These birds look like they're living the dream, just rolling around in the snow play fighting and rolling snow balls.

[@swivelshivel6576]

“They love fighting, but it’s all just for f-“ *kea pulls out switchblade and stabs another in the chest* “Oh no.”

[@gatokawaii3996]

I just start cracking up after reading your comment.

[@AnimalEmancipation]

Wonderful happy end. Finding their partner through play ❤️

[@shadypinesma8909]

😂 haha, what a great way to start the day! Wish they had played longer, a good 10 minutes of watching them with my first cup of coffee of the day! Thanks this was awesome 😁🐦🐦🐦🐤💞💕💞

[@2listening1]

Here’s about ten minutes of those New Zealand birds! kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2q6oHWGiNt9ZpY

[@Teadon86]

In Dwarf Fortress these birds are the arbiters of doom or prosperity.

[@EvelynNdenial]

certainly doom, the thieving bastards.

[@silpheedTandy]

these birds have more social skills than i have...

[@Losaru]

Snowball cam returns!!

[@morley364]

BABY Snowball Cam!!!

[@izzy_izzy_izzybelle]

AW THEYRE HAVING SO MUCH FUN THEY LOVE IT THIS IS SO *WHOLESOME* AAA

[@Saucyakld]

Bird picked rubber from my car windows while I was skiing! Hahaha! Was a cold trip back to Auckland

[@ZizzleTheKakapo]

keas are found only in the south island, you saying you drove your car through cook strait?

[@mickyj300x]

@@ZizzleTheKakapo there's a ferry service over the strait mate

[@ZizzleTheKakapo]

@@mickyj300x I was joking, mate.

[@Sayerdify]

They're so cute when they run and skip along !

[@snowbloodapple]

I'm a simple human . I see John post a video, I click

[@janetnicholls5709]

I wouldn't like to be on the end of that hooked beak no matter how cute these parrots are...

[@bluu9599]

I like how they run after the snowball 🤣

[@bmo14lax]

Beautiful birds, amazing shots.

[@delilahdandelion7026]

2:20 I cant stop watching this part 😂🤣

[@223sushi]

If only the damn birds didnt fly off with my step ladders.

[@manifoldexultant7331]

NOOOOO NOT MY ONLY HECKIN COPPER PICK NOOOOO NOT THE KEARINOOOSSSS

[@patrick247two]

Kea enjoy playing game called 'pulling apart your car'.

[@Fadedecho1]

Wow how kool are these parrots. Extremely large beaked. Beautiful colors. Pretty awesome looking. Tysm for sharing 🤗

[@xxmechanicalworldxx3807]

They have more social skills then I do

[@dtawist]

he attacc he protecc but most importantly he mak fren

[@lass-inangeles7564]

Enjoyed this very much! What beautiful, charming, and intelligent birds!!

[@isabel7428]

oh to be a small bird playing in the snow with bird friends :(

[@TheLadyDiazepam]

Keas amazed me with their antics when I went skiing in Queenstown 26 years ago.

[@crybabybirb7011]

I was upset before I watched this, and this made me smile :,) good vid

[@mxgirl918]

This vid can't get any better. David Tennant narrating and the sight of a kea galloping in chase of a snowball spy cam.

[@guro_kunbackdeter1503]

Very Lucky to recorded when they played with each other, what a golden time

[@KFrost-fx7dt]

I'm not sure what is more funny, the cute playful birds or the snowball that rolls around by itself.

[@VulturHS]

I wish I could just punch a random stranger in the face and become friends.

[@quoiquand2888]

The best part is how once they find their partner, they will stay together for the rest of their lives

[@FBIMOUS377]

Look at all that open space and beautiful looking nature, WITHOUT any garbage and human junk to be seen. I hope it stays that way!! Pleeeeeeease!

[@randomphonevideos]

Kea's are now my official spirit animal

[@hellosweetheart3350]

That giddie little trot towards the snowball was so cute!

[@Mario_1611]

Even birds have better social skills that me. 😿

[@shoulders-of-giants]

I'd love to see keas in the Alps and on Scandinavia.

[@morningstarghuleh1087]

Kea are in New Zealand. If you ever come here and see them, watch out for your car. They will rip all the rubber out and probably take the hub caps off. They will also steal your stuff and try to rip your shoes apart while you are wearing them. They also love to jump out at you and nearly scare you to death.

[@sigheyeroll]

Omg they're soo adorable! I've never heard such a cute bird chirp before!

[@FanstasiaAlchemist]

this is the best thing i've seen in awhile

[@lilywei864]

I LOVR KEAS SO MUCH. i miss new zealand

[@DremyInk06]

I live in New Zealand lol. Though I live here, I have never seen Keas playing with snowballs lmao

[@lilywei864]

@@DremyInk06 yeah I've lived there for 11 years and only say keas at Auckland Zoo, it's just that seeing this video generally makes me quite miss the country since it's my first year at University, away from home...

[@DremyInk06]

@@lilywei864 It's strange how rare Keas are tbh

[@ahuman3549]

Ink Kagamine same

[@dodecaheathenblue8132]

These Beautiful birds are hilarious! Thanks for sharing.

[@kroakie4]

These birds are just precious! It was so cute when two were wrestling and one looked up, it’s beak covered in snow. I also love how when they run it’s kind of half running and half waddling! 😂😂

[@InkGraffiti]

I looove the noises they make!! so cute

[@alexaslife9784]

THE BIRD WAS SO CUTE WHEN IT WAS HOPPING

[@lorddanny2988]

"One with a hidden camera" *pure white ball with obvious large black cirle*

[@ehixxz]

That robot bird looks so out of place 😂😂

[@foodiesglobal101]

Don't give them any crazy ideas now. Next thing the Kea's will invent the wheel, and then in a few years advance to space flight ⭕🦜🚀 But to be serious again. The coloring of the feathers, the sounds they make, the hopping around, the intel.... awesome birds (minus the carwrecking that they do 😁)

[@HexenkoeniginVonAngmar]

*Clicks on the video* *hears narrator* "Hm. I think it's a scottisch... wait a second. Is that David Tennant?" Love it.

[@maribelsanchez5107]

I wonder if these beautiful birdies have been responsible for causing avalanches... 🤣

[@MegaRudeBoy69]

Tried to save the camera, through escape, but it was too late. The Kea's were hooked.

[@Lunabyes]

I knew it was David Tennant the second this video started 🤣 kea are cheeky lil buggers, and can be quite destructive. If you ever go to see them in your car, make sure to put your radio line down or they'll strip it to bits. I found out the hard way last year 😂

[@diannadiatz1140]

You've made me LOL this morning! I LOVE your videos and your great sense of humor! Your narrator's voice adds a special quality to these little films too! Are your nature cams insured when they roll off into the sunset? Subtitles can include, "Hey, that's MY snowball!" "Who wants to play ball?" "The Fun and Games Dating Game" From the snowball cam, "Wheeee!" as it rolls down the hill. Thank you for another great show! How do you ever find these birds and animals? May all of you continue on your wonderful journeys around the world! Best wishes, Dianna (Southern Maryland) and my cat, Grayson (looking over my shoulder in the photo)

[@JohnDownerProd]

This is one of the nicest comments we've read. Thank you very much. And yes we do have insurance for our cameras. Stay tuned for more clips & programmes being aired. If you haven't done so already don't forget to subscribe to our KZbin channel.

[@janemcloughlin2877]

Gorgeous birds playing in the snow is a pleasure to watch, oh and the voice over did not hurt either. If my ears don’t deceive me I believe that is the gorgeous David Tennant I hear.

[@wilkinsbrito5168]

Now we have birds that love to play fight and make snowballs....I know who to call for this winter's snowball fight

[@jeaneljaylamputi2215]

OMG snowball cam got butchered...

[@Gabrie177]

"One that will remain faithful for life," yeah.... I heard those words when I tied the knot then I lost my job, and those words were memories to me. If I have reborn into this world, let me come back as a KEA.

[@edenhyena]

Beautiful birds I got to see them on my New Zealand stay . Very friendly birds .

[@CommissarKane]

"Hey jim help me break this expensive camera!"

[@SnoopCatts]

I was going to say this spycam business is a waste of time and money until the bird grabbed it and started flying off with it LOL😅

[@tfranc347]

these parrots are incredible

[@moviemad56]

Very nice video, with perfectly-chosen music. As an Aussie I find it very strange to see parrots playing in snow. :D

[@XerxesTexasToast]

They have such pretty wings!

[@Kayenne54]

"Avalanche Cam cleverly identifies the real culprits" 0:32

[@CaToRi-]

They are so above... faithful for life

[@wintershock]

“Passing play things is a way of making friends” I tried this many times but it never worked.

[@gemwolfz2860]

they find mates through playing... keas are in silly mode all the time theyre so good

[@maizimay]

I love their calls

[@callysto_ii]

My favourite actor narrating the lives of my favourite parrots ? And they say miracles don't exist

[@fishwithtwoeyes]

1:44 "They love fighting", The poor bugger getting attacked is like "Why would you do that!?!?"

[@AstralPhnx]

The second the kea popped the rubber bit off the snowball camera I let out an audable "Yeah you ain't gonna be getting that one back"

[@trashedeggnog3858]

they are so adorable agjsksldgshsgsj

[@slappy8941]

Did you have a stroke while writing your comment?

[@trashedeggnog3858]

@@slappy8941 yea

[@michael49777]

@@trashedeggnog3858 You don't spell very well do you? Uneducated dick

[@fpsdovah2572]

Anything narrated by the doctor is great to watch.

[@lozoft9]

It's so odd seeing a parrot in a cold environment. Gorgeous birds and stunning landscape. NZ is a paradise.

[@nv7287]

This bird should be our icon! fun at heart fights but only to play. in the end its all about being a team!

[@caravanlifenz]

They're like puppies in parrot form. They'll chew anything. So cute though.

[@katjatezak5816]

David Tennant and keas; today is a good day! 😁👏👏🕺

[@l-san1517]

And they said animals only know about surviving.

[@DravenGal]

Adorable birds AND David Tennant's dulcet tones! Not gonna lie, I swooned a little bit.