Playful Keas: A Parrot Call That Triggers Contagious Play
Researchers played recorded ‘play calls’ from captive keas to wild keas in New Zealand and found the vocalization triggered more play, even among birds that were alone.
Useful takeaways from this story.
Keas use a distinct warbling 'play call' that resembles contagious laughter.
Scientists recorded captive keas and played those recordings to wild keas on New Zealand’s South Island.
Wild keas increased play behavior when they heard the play call and sometimes engaged other birds that had not been playing.
The useful part
Playful Keas | BirdNote Skip to main content Skip to navigation Today's Show: Jon Benjamin will face off in the bird illustration battle of the century during BirdNote's Year-end Celebration and Auction! RESERVE YOUR SPOT Playful Keas September 12, 2026 Clowns of the parrot world.
How it works
- Scientists in Austria, who study how birds think and behave, wanted to test this idea.
- [Kea "play call" recording followed by human laughter]] For BirdNote, I'm Mary McCann.
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- Jonese Franklin Bird sounds provided by Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna.
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What to take from it
Wild Keas that had been playing began playing harder and even engaged birds that had not been playing at all. They began playing harder and even engaged birds that hadn't been playing. Intelligent and social, they have olive-green plumage, a red rump, and a long, curved beak.
Example or evidence
- Scientists made recordings of captive Keas making warbling calls, then played them for wild Keas.
- Hearing it seemed to put them in a playful mood, even when they were alone.
- Full Transcript Credits BirdNote ® Playful Keas Produce Contagious Laughter Written by GrrlScientist This is BirdNote.
- [Kea "play call" recording] "Laugh, and the world laughs with you," is an old saying* that's true for people — and for some parrots, too.
Details worth keeping
[Wild Kea calls] Keas are large alpine parrots that live on New Zealand's South Island. With olive-green plumage, a red rump, and a long, curved beak, these social birds are intelligent and playful. When they're playing, Keas produce a distinct warbling call, a "play call," that sounds — and functions — much like contagious laughter in humans.
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