Why is the takahe threatened?
Takahē once roamed across the South Island, but pressures from hunting, introduced predators, habitat destruction and competition for food led to their decline. After being presumed extinct for nearly 50 years, the takahē was famously rediscovered in 1948.
What are the predators of takahe?
In the case of takahē, stoats are the most significant threat. These introduced predators kill many of our native birds and reptiles before they reach breeding age – making it impossible for the species to recover without conservation intervention.
How many Takahē are left in NZ 2021?
There are still only about 400 takahē, but the numbers increase every year – great considering the bird was long thought extinct.
How are takahe protected?
In response, the Department of Conservation extended its stoat trapping programme to cover all of the 50,000 hectare Special Takahē Area in the Murchison Mountains. The Department of Conservation uses a network of 2,500 traps to protect takahē from stoats.
How do takahe communicate?
Takahē pairs are always ‘talking’ to each other by making constant clucking sounds which sound a bit like a hen. by doing this they can communicate without even seeing each other. Adaptive features: Takahē are very territorial and will fight with their strong feet and beaks.
What Colour is a takahe?
The colour of the adult takahē is mainly purple-blue with a greenish back and inner wings.
Where are the takahe found?
New Zealand
Takahē are found only in New Zealand. They belong to the Rallidae (rail) family of birds, as do their lookalike but lighter-built cousins, the pukeko (Porphyrio porphyrio).
Where are takahe found?
Did you know? The takahē is the largest living member of the rail family and the biggest flightless bird to survive in New Zealand. Takahē are found only in New Zealand. They belong to the Rallidae (rail) family of birds, as do their lookalike but lighter-built cousins, the pukeko (Porphyrio porphyrio).
Where can you find takahe?
How did takahe get to New Zealand?
New Zealand swamphen origins For many years, it was reasoned that takahē originated in Australia and had been blown across the Tasman Sea. Once in New Zealand and free of land-based predators, the North Island and South Island takahē evolved to become large flightless birds.
