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Story: Large forest birds

Takahē eating introduced grasses

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Takahē eating introduced grasses

Some takahē have been moved to islands that are free of mammalian predators, to give the birds a chance to breed in safety. On some islands they eat non-native grasses – although there is concern that this diet may reduce their fertility.

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by Penny Carnaby

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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/10567/takahe-eating-introduced-grasses (accessed 4 June 2026).

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