A disabled kea parrot is the alpha male of his circus

Current Biology 2026 Open access

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Authors: Alexander A. Grabham, Molly M. Hill, Stevie N. Florent, Mathilde Eriksen, Anisiia Prokshina, Jonathan Hill, Dion Thompson, Alex H. Taylor, Ximena J. Nelson
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2026.03.004
Cited by: 1
References: 5

Abstract

. Here, we report that he has also innovated to thrive in his captive environment. Bruce is the alpha male of his circus (the collective noun for a group of kea): despite being the only disabled bird in his group, he was undefeated in dominance interactions with his male peers, exhibited the lowest stress hormone metabolites, had priority access to feeding stations, received the only allopreening directed toward a non-mate (Figures 1 and S1), and achieved this without allies. His weapon? A novel beak jousting technique (Figure S1 and Video S1) that turned his disability into dominance. These results show how behavioural innovation can dramatically reverse the consequences of disability in animals.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Dermatological diseases and infestations Entomological Studies and Ecology Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
Current Biology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
36
Issue
8
Pages
R320–R321
Publication date
1 April 2026
Language
EN