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Story: Large forest birds

Young takahē feeding

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Young takahē feeding

Takahē eat the succulent base of some tussock species. They are also partial to the juicy leaf bases of certain sedges, which grow along many waterways. In the first month or two of life, young takahē mainly eat invertebrates – the larvae and pupae of flies and butterflies, as well as blowflies, dragonflies and moths. In captivity, takahē have been seen killing and eating young chicks and rats.

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Department of Conservation

Reference: 10050087

by Dave Crouchley

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How to cite this page

Gerard Hutching, Large forest birds – Takahē, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/10566/young-takahe-feeding (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 1 March 2009, updated 1 August 2023.