Now they have taken the title of New Zealand's top bird.
Dunedin Botanic Garden aviary curator Alisha Sherriff said it just might be the key to the kea's survival.
''People are a lot more aware about what's going on within the forest,'' she said.
''I think the reality of kea in the wild is that they are rapidly declining.''
The kea had been classified as nationally endangered, with only 3000-7000 of the species remaining.
The botanic garden aviary is home to two of the mountain-dwelling birds.
She said the keas kept at the aviary were already popular prior to winning the award.
''I think they [locals] already embrace the fact that we have kea here.''
She had no doubt why the kea was a worthy winner.
''They're curious. They're intelligent.
''People know the kea as the bird that's always up to mischief.
''It won by quite a few votes this year so I think that's a reflection of how popular the kea have become over the last few years.''
This year's bird of the year poll attracted 50,000 votes (up from 20,000 votes in 2016) and 7000 of them went to the kea.
The wood pigeon was second-most popular with 4572 votes and the Kakapo third with 2554 votes.
