Story: Birds of mountains and open country

Alpine ranges (3rd of 3)

Alpine ranges

This view across Mt Hooker and the Landsborough valley towards Aoraki/Mt Cook shows the vast alpine highlands that are home to the kea. These hardy mountain parrots nest close to the treeline. They feed in tussock herbfields up to the snowline, as well as in the bush (appearing as a dark green band on the lower slopes). Delicate-looking rock wrens live up above the forest edge – in bluffs, at the foot of rock falls, or among alpine shrubs.

Using this item

GNS Science
Reference: CN36123/10
Photograph by Lloyd Homer

Permission of GNS Science must be obtained before any use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Christina Troup, 'Birds of mountains and open country - Open country environments', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/13999/alpine-ranges (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Christina Troup, published 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015