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Story: Grasslands

Takahē browsing

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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

by Dave Crouchley

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How to cite this page

Alan F. Mark, Grasslands – Tussock grasslands, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/13342/takahe-browsing (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Alan F. Mark, published 1 March 2009.