Takahe Print

The Takahe is a large flightless bird native to New Zealand. It has a striking blue-green plumage, and can grow up to 75 centimeters in length. Historically, the Takahe was widely distributed throughout the South Island of New Zealand, but due to habitat loss, hunting and introduction of predators, their population declined sharply to the point of being considered extinct in the wild in the late 1800s. However, in 1948 a small population was rediscovered in the remote Murchison Mountains, and since then efforts have been made to protect and increase their numbers. They feed on a variety of plants and have a diet that changes throughout the year. Takahe are considered a critically endangered species with only around 300 birds in the wild. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect and increase their numbers.