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.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
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.
Tāpiritia te tākupu hou