Story: Grasslands

Takahē browsing

Takahē browsing

Takahē were once widespread in the North and South islands. The remaining natural population is found in the Murchison Mountains of Fiordland, where tall tussocks (Chionochloa species) provide shelter, nesting cover and food. The birds use their beaks to cut or pull the shoots from the base of the tussock. They then transfer shoots to their foot, strip them of the outer dry leaf bases and eat the softer, more nutritious lower ends.

Using this item

Department of Conservation
Reference: 10050087
Photograph by Dave Crouchley

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Alan F. Mark, 'Grasslands - Tussock grasslands', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/13342/takahe-browsing (accessed 24 April 2024)

Story by Alan F. Mark, published 24 Sep 2007