Kea are naturally curious, and notoriously destructive. These alpine birds are often referred to as the clown of the mountains. They have a strong urge to investigate new things (neophilia), which enables them to adapt to changes in their environment, but also gets them in trouble when they descend on visitors’ cars and begin removing parts. In the past they were persecuted when they discovered a novel food source—snowbound sheep. Some scientists consider kea to be one of, if not the most intelligent bird.