Nestor (genus) - Species

Species

There are two surviving species and at least one well documented extinct species in the genus Nestor. Very little is known about the fourth, the Chatham Kaka, which may have been con-specific with another Kaka species.

  • Kea, Nestor notabilis
  • New Zealand Kaka, Nestor meridionalis
    • North Island Kaka, Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis
    • South Island Kaka, Nestor meridionalis meridionalis
  • Norfolk Kaka, Nestor productus (extinct)
  • Chatham Kaka, Nestor sp. (extinct)
Nestorini
Common name
(binomial name)
status		 Image Description Range and habitat
Kea

(Nestor notabilis)
Vulnerable
48 cm (19 in) long. Mostly olive-green with scarlet underwings and rump. Dark-edged feathers. Dark brown beak, iris, legs, and feet. Male has longer bill. New Zealand: South Island

High-level forests and subalpine scrublands 850–1400 m AMSL.
South Island Kaka

(Nestor meridionalis meridionalis)
Endangered
Similar to the North Island Kaka, but slightly smaller, brighter colours, the crown is almost white, and the bill is longer and more arched in males. New Zealand: South Island

Unbroken tracts of Nothofagus and Podocarpus forests 450–850 m AMSL in summer and 0–550 m in winter.
North Island Kaka

(Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis)
Endangered
About 45 cm (18 in) long. Mainly olive-brown with dark feather edges. Crimson underwings, rump, and collar. The cheeks are golden/brown. The crown is greyish. New Zealand: North Island

Unbroken tracts of Nothofagus and Podocarpus forests between 450–850 m AMSL in summer and 0–550 m in winter.
Norfolk Kaka

(Nestor productus)
Extinct by 1851 approx.
About 38 cm long. Mostly olive-brown upperparts, (reddish-)orange cheeks and throat, straw-coloured breast, thighs, rump and lower abdomen dark orange. Formerly endemic on Norfolk Island and Phillip Island of Australia

Rocks and trees
Chatham Kaka

(Nestor sp.)
Extinct by 1550–1700

 Appearance unknown, but bones indicate reduced flight capability. Only known from subfossil bones. Formerly endemic on Chatham Island of New Zealand

Forests

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