Table of Contents
Where does takahe live?
New Zealand
The takahē is the largest living member of the rail family and the biggest flightless bird to survive in New Zealand. Takahē are found only in New Zealand. They belong to the Rallidae (rail) family of birds, as do their lookalike but lighter-built cousins, the pukeko (Porphyrio porphyrio).
How does the takahe live?
Habitat and behaviour Wild takahē populations live in harsh alpine conditions. They feed on alpine grass species called snow tussock. They use their strong beaks to cut and strip the tough blades. When winter snow covers the tussock, takahē move down to forested areas for shelter and to feed on fern rhizomes.
Where do takahe live in NZ?
Fiordland National Park
In the wild, takahē only exist in the Murchison Mountains, Fiordland National Park and more recently Gouland Downs in Kahurangi National Park.
Where do Pukekos live?
Unlike many other native birds, the pūkeko has adapted well to new habitats, such as grassed paddocks, croplands and even city parks, a necessity brought about by disappearing wetlands. However, the pūkeko is essentially a bird of swampy ground, lagoons, reeds, rushes and swamps.
When did the takahe come to NZ?
In 1847, Walter Mantell was the first European to find moho/takahē bones in the North Island. In 1894, Māori elders identified the skin of a large blue bird caught in the Ruahine Range as a mohoau.
What is the English name for takahe?
| South Island takahē | |
|---|---|
| Species: | P. hochstetteri |
| Binomial name | |
| Porphyrio hochstetteri (A. B. Meyer, 1883) | |
| Distribution of South Island takahe, including sanctuaries |
How does takahe eat?
Takahe live high in the Murchison mountains located in Fordland where there are lots of tussock plants. They eat the soft tasty parts of the tall tussock shoots which they pull out with their beak then grasp with their foot and eat it like a parrot eats it food, they also eat insects.
What is the difference between a pukeko and a takahe?
Although they look similar to their distant relative the pūkeko/purple swamp hen (that are common and can fly), takahē are much larger and more brightly coloured. Takahē have stout red legs and a large, strong red beak.
What do takahe look like?
Takahē have stout red legs and a large, strong red beak. Their feathers range from a dark royal blue head, neck and breast, to peacock blue shoulders, through to shades of iridescent turquoise and olive green on their wings and back.
What kind of bird is the South Island Takahe?
The takahē ( Porphyrio hochstetteri ), also known as the South Island takahē or notornis, is a flightless bird indigenous to New Zealand, and the largest living member of the rail family. It was hunted extensively by Māori, but was not named and described by Europeans until 1847, and then only from fossil bones.
What kind of bird is the flightless takahe?
The flightless takahē is a unique bird, a conservation icon and a survivor. 00:38 – Takahē song. 00:52 – Takahē song. The flightless takahē (South Island takahē; Porphyrio hochstetteri ), is the world’s largest living rail (a family of small-medium sized ground-dwelling birds with short wings, large feet and long toes).
Where can I see a takahe in the wild?
You can meet a takahē at several sites around the country. In the wild, takahē only exist in the Murchison Mountains, Fiordland National Park and more recently Gouland Downs in Kahurangi National Park. Outside of the wild populations, takahē live at sanctuary sites.
How big is a full grown Takahe bird?
Takahē weigh between 2.3 – 3.8 kg. Takahē have stout red legs and a large, strong red beak. Their feathers range from a dark royal blue head, neck and breast, to peacock blue shoulders, through to shades of iridescent turquoise and olive green on their wings and back.