A parrot in Fiordland National Park filmed its own escape after stealing a family’s camera.
On February 4, Alexandra Verheul, a resident of Dunedin in southeastern New Zealand, reported that her family’s camera was snatched by a kea parrot while they were hiking in Fiordland National Park on the South Island.
(Video: Alexandra Verheul)
At the time, the camera was placed on a ledge where the family had stopped, still recording a flock of birds. The parrot grabbed the camera, capturing its escape on video before dropping the device and pecking at it continuously.
Fortunately, the camera remained operational. Luca, 13, a member of the Verheul family, relied on the noise to locate the device.
“We just followed the sound down below. It clearly heard us, which is why it left the camera behind. My son decided to check around some rocks. He found the camera still there and recording,” Verheul explained, noting that the parrot flew in a straight line, which helped them retrieve the camera.
Kea parrot steals the Verheul family’s camera.
“I uploaded the video to my phone. It was amazing. We were absolutely surprised,” she expressed. The following day, another kea parrot also stole a cup from the family’s backpack.
Kea parrots are a native New Zealand species that inhabit the mountainous regions of Aotearoa, known for their curiosity and mischievous behavior. They often steal wallets, jewelry, lunch boxes, and other items from visitors. Kea parrots are classified as endangered, with fewer than 7,000 individuals remaining in the wild in New Zealand according to the Canberra Conservation Department.
