Smart cookie kea makes a snowball in Arthur's Pass, Canterbury

Friday, 8 September 2017

A kea was spotted pushing a snowball across Arthur's Pass on Thursday to the delight of one coach driver.

In a rare departure from pulling rubber off tourists and skiers' cars, a kea has been spotted making a snowball in Canterbury.

The driver of a coach making its way through Arthur's Pass spotted the intelligent parrot pushing a snowball across the snow-covered road on Thursday.

The alpine parrot made the most of the spring snow.

'Every now and then, travelling through the mountains, one gets to see some marvellous sights – today was one of those days,' a post on the West Coast Shuttle Facebook page said.

'When travelling through the pass with snow chains on my tyres … there in front of me was a kea … rolling a snowball across the road.'

* Trucks stranded after spring snow closes Lewis Pass, SH7

* Kea are smarter and more playful than previously thought, research shows

* Keeping tabs on Canterbury's increasingly rare kea**

Arthur's Pass was open on Thursday despite being blanketed with snow. The New Zealand Transport Agency advised chains were essential and the road was closed to towing vehicles.

The same restrictions applied on Friday with more snow expected to fall throughout the weekend.

Keas were well-known for their playful, if not obnoxious, behaviour. Recent research also showed they excelled at teamwork and had a contagious laugh.

A particular Kea's shriek was played to various parrots, which researchers said seemed to trigger an inherent sense of playfulness.