The 30-day incubation period is shared by both parents who also feed the chicks for three months. Usually, only one chick will survive its first winter. A takahe looks similar to the common black and blue pukeko but is much larger and is green rather than black over the back. An adult stands about 50 cm high and can weigh over 3 kg. Takahe have lived over 20 years in captivity but in the wild few birds reach this age.
Wings are for display only - such as courtship and aggression.
Considerable research has been undertaken on reproductive biology, feeding and nutrition, and impacts of deer and predators. An important management development has been the stringent control of deer in the Murchison Mountains and other takahe areas of Fiordland National Park. Following the introduction of deer hunting by helicopter, deer numbers have decreased dramatically and alpine vegetation is now recovering from years of heavy browsing. This improvement in its habitat has helped to increase takahe breeding success and survival. Current research aims to measure the impact of attacks by stoats and thus decide whether stoats are a significant problem requiring management.