Story: Conservation – a history

Stewart Island snipe (2nd of 4)

Stewart Island snipe

New Zealand snipe are small and stocky, with a long bill. Their plumage is chestnut and black, with pale feather margins, and parallel dark bands along the sides and top of the head. This Stewart Island subspecies was photographed on Big South Cape Island. The island was its final refuge before extinction in 1964, soon after rats reached the island from a fishing boat.

Using this item

Department of Conservation
Reference: 10040147
Photograph by Don Merton

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How to cite this page:

Simon Nathan, 'Conservation – a history - Saving native birds', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/13931/stewart-island-snipe (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Simon Nathan, published 24 Sep 2007, updated 1 Aug 2015