A flightless bird about the size of a chicken. Notice the absence of wings! Member of the rail family. Endemic to New Zealand. They are omnivorous. A curious bird, it was not uncommon for them to wander into campsites or along trails looking for scraps of food, as we were hiking in NZ. They are a vulnerable species and are threatened by climatic change and predators such as stoats, rats, and brush-tailed opossums…as are all flightless birds in NZ.
Weka
Country New Zealand
Location South Island Abel Tasman Tract
Gender Unknown
Age Adult
- Created Timestamp01/29/2018 03:52:30
- CameraDMC-FZ300
- Aperture4
- Focal Length73
- Iso100
- Shutter Speed1/400
- Orientation1
Are these the same birds we heard about that can be “pests” in that they will try and eat the tires on your vehicle?
Those are Keas. Fascinating, intelligent birds. Would love to photograph one some day.
Great Picture Scott!