Product Code Database
The genus Nestor is one of the two extant taxon genera of the parrot family Strigopidae. Together with the kākāpō, and the extinct parrots in the genus Nelepsittacus, they form the parrot superfamily Strigopoidea. The genus Nestor contains two Extant taxon parrot species from New Zealand and two extinct species from Norfolk Island, Australia and Chatham Island, New Zealand, respectively. All species are large stocky birds with short squarish tails. A defining characteristic of the genus is the tongue, which is tipped with a hair-like fringe. The superficial resemblance of this tongue to that of has led some taxonomists to consider the two groups closely related, but DNA evidence shows they are not.
In 2012 Leo Joseph and collaborators proposed that the genus Nestor should be placed in its own family, Nestoridae. This proposal has not been adopted in lists of the world birds and instead Nestor is placed with the genus Strigops in the family Strigopidae.
| Kea ( Nestor notabilis) Endangered Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is endangered. | 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 kākā ( Nestor meridionalis meridionalis) Endangered Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is endangered. | Similar to the North Island kākā, 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 kākā ( Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis) Endangered | About 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 kākā († Nestor productus) Extinction by 1851 approx. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is endangered. | 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 the adjacent Phillip Island Rocks and trees | |
| Chatham kākā († Nestor chathamensis) Extinct by 1550–1700 | Only known from subfossil bones. | Formerly endemic on Chatham Island of New Zealand Forests |
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