Kōrero: Large forest birds

Takahē (1 o 2)

Takahē

Takahē are one of many species that became large and flightless after reaching New Zealand. With no need to escape from ground predators, the birds could afford to lose the power of flight. Once flightless, getting heavy is not a drawback – in fact it makes it feasible to fill up with slow-to-digest leafy food. The takahē is much heavier than its close relative the pūkeko, a more recent arrival.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Private collection
Photograph by Christina Troup

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.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Te tuhi tohutoro mō tēnei whārangi:

Gerard Hutching, 'Large forest birds - New Zealand’s large forest birds', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/mi/photograph/10553/takahe (accessed 29 March 2024)

He kōrero nā Gerard Hutching, i tāngia i te 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015, updated 1 Aug 2023