News Animals

This kea parrot is the first-known disabled alpha male

Despite lacking half a beak, Bruce is the boss of his circus of kea

A closeup of a kea parrot named Bruce shows is olive green feathers and a distinctive profile: He lacks most of the top part of his beak.

Bruce, the kea with a missing upper beak, is top bird in his aviary at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in New Zealand.

Ximena Nelson

By RJ Mackenzie

A parrot missing half his beak is top bird at New Zealand’s Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. The parrot, named Bruce, wins every fight with other kea parrots and gets priority access to food, researchers report April 20 in Current Biology.