Coordinator: DoC - Burwood Bush

Habitat and Distribution: Now confined to the Murchison Mountains region, west of Lake Te Anau, in tussock and small pockets of beech forest.

Characteristics: Recognised by heavy build and thick bill. Is flightless, although possessing wings. Population in 1991 approximately 160 birds, some in captivity.

Voice: Somewhat similar to weka call, with rising inflection. Often call in duet. Other calls a low 'klomph'.

Food: Feeds mainly on succulent shoots and basal stems of red tussock, also seeds and berries. In winter feeds on rhizomes of ferns in beech forests.

Breeding: Nest is built of grasses in bower of tussock clumps. Two buff coloured eggs with brwon markings are laid in October or November. Both sexes incubate for 30 days. Usually only one chick survives and is fed by its parents until the following September.

Captive Program:

Associated Documents: