North Island Weka - Gallirallus australis greyi

Coordinator: Eric Fox

Habitat and Distribution: Wekas inhabit a wide range of habitats: open country with scrub, forest margins, sand dunes and rocky shores. North Island Wekas are found in Northland, Poverty Bay and on Kapiti island. Western Wekas inhabit Marlborough, Nelson, Westland and Fiordland. The Stewart Island subspecies was introduced to Kapiti Island.

Characteristics: Most active at dusk, Wekas are flightless, swim well and have a strong homing instinct. Western and Stewart Island subspecies are dimorphic, with dark plumaged forms being common in Fiordland.

Voice: A repeated drawn out 'ee-wee' with a rising inflection.

Food: Eats a wide range of invertebrates, seeds, fruit and lizards; also robs eggs and young from ground nesting birds and petrel burrows, and has been reported as taking mice and rats.

Breeding: nesting throughout year, with peak period from September to November. Nest of dry grasses in hollow underlogs or rocks, or in thick vegetation. Clutch of 2-5 cream coloured eggs with dark brown blotches. Incubation by both parents for 25 or 26 days.

Captive Program: At present there is no breeding for release, birds are being held only for advocacy purposes. Currently held in four establishments:- Otorohanga Kiwi House, Hamilton Zoo, Rainbow Springs and Owlcatraz Wildlife Park.

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