New Zealand's own World Cup oracle Jimmy the Kea has successfully predicted the winners of three of the four games in the cup quarter finals this weekend.
The 27-year-old kea, from the Ngā Manu Nature Reserve in Kāpiti, hauled out tiny boxes to decide which teams would come out on top in this weekend's games.
He chose France and Belgium to win their matches on Saturday, and England and Russia to win their Sunday games.
The only game he wrongly predicted was Russia's match against Croatia, which saw Croatia win 4-3 on penalties this morning.
To help Jimmy make his selections, Ngā Manu ranger Scott Pearson made the boxes with flags of each team on them, which he attached to a length of chain which was then tied round a branch.
Each of the boxes holds creamed rice, one of Jimmy's favourite treats, and are held up for him to inspect from the branch before being dropped to the full length of the chain. Jimmy then hauls up whichever box he prefers.
The teams he chose are as follows:
Saturday morning (NZT)
- 2am: Uruguay vs France FRANCE - CORRECT
- 6am: Brazil vs Belgium BELGIUM - CORRECT
Sunday morning (NZT)
- 2am: England vs Sweden ENGLAND - CORRECT
- 6am: Russia vs Croatia RUSSIA - WRONG
The reserve said keas were known for being highly intelligent and Jimmy was no exception.
He lives at the reserve with two female keas and has been there for 12 years where he usually enjoys a diet of fruit with occasional treats of cheese, creamed rice and playing with sticks.
This is Jimmy's first time predicting sports events. He follows in the footsteps of Japan's score predicting octopus, the UK's winner-picking pig.
Jimmy meditates on his choice between Sweden and England. Photo: Supplied
