The Kea Conservation Trust is appalled at reports the endangered birds have been deliberately killed at a forestry site near Nelson.

The mountain parrots are classified as nationally endangered and the report follows revelations just last week that takahe were mistakenly shot in a pukeko cull.

DOC says it's investigating the allegation and no further details can be provided at this time.

The Trust's Andrea Goodman helps to resolve conflicts between humans and the curious mountain parrots.

She's been working with a handful of forestry sites near Nelson which have been having problems.

"Generally the kea are getting into the logging equipment such as the haulers and the loaders and they're pecking off the aerials, pecking at the seats on the bulldozers and things."

She said if the reports are correct, the killing is abhorrent.

"I'd be very disappointed if they were proven true. All of the people that I've been dealing with have been so pro kea and it's been really humbling working with these forestry companies and their crews."

Andrea Goodman points out all the companies she has been working with have been very pro-kea.

Fewer than 5000 kea are thought to be left in the wild.