The nares knows: Exploring olfactory preferences in a kākā (Nestor meridionalis)
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Authors
Newman, M.
Slack, A.
Roberts, Lorne
Kemp, Caralyn
Slack, A.
Roberts, Lorne
Kemp, Caralyn
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Date
2025-11-06
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Conference Contribution - Oral Presentation
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
New Zealand
kākā (Nestor meridionalis)
parrots
olfaction in animals
animal grooming
sensory enrichment
animal navigation
animal psychology
kākā (Nestor meridionalis)
parrots
olfaction in animals
animal grooming
sensory enrichment
animal navigation
animal psychology
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Newman, M., Slack, A., Roberts, L., & Kemp, C. (2025, November, 6). The nares knows: Exploring olfactory preferences in a kākā (Nestor meridionalis) [Paper presentation]. Unitec School of Environmental and Animal Sciences Research Symposium 2025, Mount Albert, Auckland, New Zealand
https://hdl.handle.net/10652/7222
Abstract
Recent studies have found that birds use olfaction for purposes such as navigation, pest control, and camouflage. However, we know very little about avian olfactory preferences, particularly in parrots, which are largely considered as microsmatic, due to their small olfactory bulbs. In this study, we investigated a captive kākā (Nestor meridionalis), a parrot endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand, to determine if kākā display clear behavioural responses indicating odour preference or aversion. Nineteen odours (and a control) were randomly presented individually at up to three different concentrations twice for 30s each. Time spent at odour, retreat, grooming, and other behavioural responses were measured. It was noted that the bird always closely sniffed each odour, no matter how strong the scent to human reception (i.e., he pressed his nares directly against the device holding the odour). This may suggest that kākā do not have long-range detection abilities for scents. The kākā was observed grooming himself after sniffing all but 5 of the odours (including the control). Perfumes, cinnamon., lavender, oregano and lemon elicited the strongest positive responses. However, unexpectedly, the kākā also used carnivore (Panthera tigris) and herbivore (Ceratotherium simum simum) faeces for grooming as well. Oral manipulation of the odour while sniffing was always noted before grooming; the purpose of this is unknown as he did not have physical access to the odour. This study is ongoing, with a paired preference test next to be trialled before expanding the sample size. However, it does demonstrate that kākā have an interest in odours and do use them for some purpose (from this study, we propose as an attractant). The aim of the larger project is to determine if olfaction can be used as sensory enrichment for captive parrots, resulting in a low- cost, low-effort way to stimulate intelligent birds in care.
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