New Zealand flightless birds

The Flightless Kiwi Bird is only found in New Zealand.

The North Island Brown Kiwi,is a species of kiwi that is widespread in the northern two-thirds of the North Island of New Zealand and, with about 35,000 remaining,and is the most common kiwi.

Females stand about 40 cm (16 in) high and weigh about 2.8 kg (6.2 lb) the males about 2.2 kg (4.9 lb).
The plumage is streaky red-brown and spiky.

These kiwi, have 2-3 clutches a year with 2 eggs in each clutch.

The efforts of egg production for the female and incubation for the male cause kiwis to lose about a fifth of their body weight during each breeding attempt.

Chicks are fully feathered at hatching and leave the nest and can fend for themselves within 1 week.

94% of chicks die before breeding in areas where mammalian pest control is not carried out, namely stoats, dogs, ferrets, and cats, are the number one threat to kiwi.

Nationwide studies show that on average only 5 per cent of kiwi chicks survive to adulthood.

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The Kakapo night parrot, also called owl parrot, is a species of large, flightless nocturnal parrot endemic to New Zealand.

It was once common all over New Zealand. It has wings, but its body is too heavy to allow it to fly, although it can glide for short distances.

Kakapo is the only species of flightless parrot in the world.

It has finely blotched yellow-green plumage, a distinct facial disc of sensory, vibrissa-like feathers, a large grey beak, short legs, large feet, and wings and a tail of relatively short length.

The beak of the Kakapo is adapted for grinding food finely.
For this reason, the Kakapo has a very small gizzard compared to other birds of their size.
It generally eats native plants, seeds, fruits, pollens and even the sapwood of trees.

A study in 1984 identified 25 plant species as Kakapo food.
It is particularly fond of the fruit of the rimu tree, and will feed on it exclusively during seasons when it is abundant.

The Kakapo is now an endangered species, it is critically endangered; as of June 2011, only 131 living individuals are known.

Having proved hard to breed in captivity, a large protected environment such as a island is its only chance for survival.
Has no male parental care, and is the only parrot to have a polygynous lek breeding system.

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South Island Takahe, is a flightless bird indigenous to New Zealand and belonging to the rail family.

In the first half of the 20 century, the Takahe was thought to be extinct.

In 1948 a few of these large, blue and green birds were found in a valley in Fiordland in the South Island of New Zealand.

The species is still present in the location where it was rediscovered in the Murchison Mountains.

Small numbers have also been successfully translocated to four predator-free offshore islands, Tiritiri Matangi, Kapiti, Maud and Mana, where they can be viewed by the public.

Additionally, captive Takahe can be viewed at Te Anau and Mt Bruce wildlife centres.

In June 2006 a pair of Takahe were relocated to the Maungatautari Restoration Project.

A related species, the North Island Takahe is extinct and only known from skeletal remains.

The Takahe cannot be bred successfully in captivity. In January 2011 a small number of Takahe were released in Zealandia, Wellington.

In total there were 225 remaining birds.

A related species, the North Island Takahe is extinct and only known from skeletal remains.

I have read that the Takahe cannot be bred successfully in captivity, but not certain on this point..

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The Weka or woodhen is a flightless bird species of the rail family.

It is endemic to New Zealand, where four subspecies are recognized.

Weka usually lay eggs between August and January; both sexes help to incubate.

Wekas are predominantly rich brown mottled with black and grey; the brown shade varies from pale to dark depending on subspecies.

Weka occupy areas such as forests, sub-alpine grassland, sand dunes, rocky shores and modified semi-urban environments.

They are omnivorous, with a diet comprising 30% animal foods and 70% plant foods.

Animal foods include earthworms, larvae, beetles, weta, ants, grass grubs, slugs, snails, insect eggs, slaters, frogs, spiders, rats, mice, and small birds.

Plant foods include leaves, grass, berries and seeds.

Weka can raise up to four broods throughout the whole year.

On average, female Weka lay three creamy or pinkish eggs blotched with brown and mauve. Both sexes incubate.
The chicks hatch after a month, and are fed by both parents until fully grown between six and ten weeks

Weka are unable to withstand the current pressures faced in both the North Island and South Island.

Predation are ferrets, cats and dogs are a threat to adult Weka; stoats, ferrets are a threat to chicks; stoats and rats are a threat to eggs.

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The Auckland Teal or Auckland Islands Teal is a species of dabbling duck of the genus Anas that is endemic to Auckland Islands south of New Zealand.

In the above photo Auckland Teal in front, with Brown Teal behind.

The species was once found throughout the Auckland Islands but is now restricted to the islands that lack introduced predators; Adams Island, Enderby Island, Disappointment Island and a few smaller islands.

The Auckland Teal is smaller and raker than the Brown Teal of the main islands of New Zealand, a species with which it was once considered conspecific.

The plumage is all over brown with a hint of green on the neck and a conspicuous white eyering.

The female is slightly darker than the male.

The wings are very small and the species has, like the related Campbell Teal, lost the power of flight.

The Auckland Teal is mostly crepuscular to nocturnal, preferring to hide from predators (New Zealand Falcons and skuas) during the day.

The species inhabits a variety of habitats with the islands, including tussock fields, megaherb shrubland and coastal waters.

It is carnivorous for the most part, feeding on marine invertebrates, insects, amphipods and other small Invertebrates.
Auckland Teal are territorial and seldom form flocks.

Photo Credit.