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The feeding behaviour of three young captive kea was studied over a period of eight weeks following their emergence from the nest. The gradual development of independent feeding over this period reflects continuing changes in the relation of the parent and young with each other and with available food objects. The development of species-typical feeding behaviour involving beak-foot co-ordination was not complete by the 19th post hatching week and appears to require a prolonged period of experience with food objects.