Locals spotted the adult kākā in a backyard on the outskirts of west Gore.
The bird had stopped in a resident’s tree to catch a break and a cheeky free feed.
A resident, who did not wish to be named, said they found out because their mother had come to visit and asked them if they had seen the parrot in their tree.
"We shot up out of our seats immediately," she said.
"We thought it couldn’t have been just any parrot.
The bird had been there for about 30 minutes when the photos were taken and had stayed on for a while, testing out the free food and water residents had left out for their regulars — the tuis and bellbirds who often visited the tree.
"He seems very strong and quiet.
"He isn’t frightened. He’s just doing his own thing."
The residents had always had bellbirds and tuis stop in and relax in the tree, so they had installed the feed for them and regularly topped it up.
New Zealand kākā are protected under New Zealand's Wildlife Act 1953.
Department of Conservation rangers were contacted to ask if they knew anything about how commonly the birds visited Gore but could not respond in time.
The Otago Daily Times has chosen not to publish the location where the kākā was spotted in order to protect the safety of the bird.
