South Island Takahē

## About

A takahē.

The South Island takahē ***(Porphyrio hochstetteri)*** (pronounced TAH-KAH-HAY) or notornis is a small flightless rail native to South Island, New Zealand. Takahē possess characteristic deep blue or navy plumage, which transitions to a dull turquoise and then a mossy green colour on the back, with white feathers around the vent. It also has bright reddish-orange legs, bill and eyes. They are round and stout in appearance, though have disproportionately long legs with elongated toes. Takahē are the largest extant flightless birds on New Zealand, and belong to the railidae family. The closest extant relatives to the takahē are the Pukeko ***(Porphyrio melanotus)*** However, North Island takahē ***(Porphyrio mantelli)*** is its closest relative overall. The North Island takahē was last sighted in 1894 and supposedly shared the same appearance as their Southern counterpart, unfortunately they were not well documented in life and have presently faded into obscurity. Originally, the South Island takahē was also presumed extinct until 1948, when they were rediscovered. South Island takahē can grow to be 63cm (25in) in length and weigh 2.7kg (6.0lbs) in males and 1.8-4.2kg (4.0lbs-9.3lbs) in females.

## Diet

Takahē eat mostly plant matter, mainly snow tussock grasses and other alpine growing brush. If snow cover arrives early, rendering tussocks and other alpine plants inedible, takahē will move into forested areas and feed on the underground rhizomes of summer ferns. When rearing young the takahē seems to favour insects over tussocks.

## Conservation Status

Takahē have been classed as endangered by the IUCN. Takahē are threatened by hunting, habitat destruction and most significantly invasive predators. Stoats ***(Mustela erminea)*** seem to be the most pressing threat to the species, as the predators prey on takahē eggs and juvenile birds. In 2007-2008, a 'stoat plague' sept the takahē population, decreasing the number of birds by as much as 40% through predation. The red deer ***(Cervus elaphus)*** has also proven to be quite detrimental to the takahē, directly competing with the bird for food, as they both share a niche in New Zealand. Predation by the native swamp harrier ***(Circus approximans)*** has also caused significant casualties in the Tiritiri Matangi subpopulation. Habitat reforestation has actually been detrimental to the Kapiti Island takahē population, as increased forest-cover outcompetes usual tussock food stock. Inbreeding as an adverse effect of a small population has also become a threat, with one study finding that inbreeding in smaller subpopulations has led to lessened hatching and fledging rates among juvenile birds. Weather conditions have also been found to detriment the population, for instance, radio tagged individuals have been found to be susceptible to long winters due to high energy expenditure, additionally, a serious of harsh winters caused population fluctuations in the 1990s. Takahē were actually considered extinct from the years between 1900-1948. During this time period the takahē had not been sighted for almost 50 years, causing many to believe the bird was extinct, however the Takahē was rediscovered in a remote area of Fiordland National Park in 1948. The rediscovery caused renewed public interest in the exotic bird, having the New Zealand government taking immediate action to conserve the bird's small population. At first many conservation groups opted for the idea of having the takahē work itself out as a species. This made many fear it may go extinct permanently, so the government worked with interventionists to carry out a plan to move takahē to vacant islands in order to breed, where most modern takahē populations reside.

## Range and Population

The South Island takahē used to inhabit the lowland marshy swamps of New Zealand's South Island however, since European settlers first arrived on the island and brought with them foreign diseases and predators, the South Island takahē population has dwindled and now takahē only inhabit the snowy alps of the Murchison Mountains in Fiordland. The species naturally inhabits inland wetland and grassland environments however, the introduction of invasive predators forced the wild population to escape into the snowy alps of Murchison, Fiordland, in an effort to escape predation. The takahē population has seen a rapid decline over the past thousand years, most significantly going from 400 individuals to a tiny 118 individuals in 1982 due to competition with the invasive domestic deer that live in Fiordland. These deer have been slowly decreasing in population due to recent culling events in order to restore the valuable Fiordland environment for the native takahē population. In current day, takahē still remain endangered and have a small yet stable population of just over 400 individuals. The reason for the sudden increase in population for this seemingly rare and highly Endangered bird is simply thanks to the breeding efforts of New Zealand conservation groups, introducing Takahē to uninhabited islands free from predators and humans where they can breed. In fact the breeding programs have worked so well, with about a 10% increase in population each year that many islands are running out of space for the takahē, fearing overpopulation.

## Behaviour

Takahē are relatively shy birds that do not approach humans voluntarily. This is in complete contrast to most flightless island birds, which usually go extinct simply because they perceived humans as no threat, this is known as island tameness. Takahē are diurnal, meaning they are active at day and dormant at night. Takahē are often quite aggressive and extremely territorial towards one another. Breeding occurs during the winter (June-August) and will usually stop in October. Takahē will court by duetting and through tactile communication. The call of a takahē sounds similar to a raspy chirp. it the courting is successful, the female takahē will turn her back to the male, spread her wings and present herself to her mate. The male will then copulate and allopreen. The pair will stay close to each other with the exception of during incubation, where one of the two will incubate. Typically the female incubates throughout the day, while the male incubates at night. The pair will share a territory of 1.2-4.9ha (2.9-12ac) and will become highly territorial to other pairs in the area. The pair will rear a clutch of 1-3 eggs, with only one usually surviving to adulthood. They will feed the chick until it is three months old, which is when it becomes independent. Takahē are monogamous and may remain with their first breeding partner for 12 years to their entire lives which can be upwards of 30-40 years.

### Relationship with Humans

Prior to European colonisation, the South and North Island takahē were both commonly hunted by the Māori people of New Zealand as a food source. Today, takahē hunting is highly illegal and the species attracts a mass amount of ecotourism to New Zealand for its uniqueness.

## In Captivity

Takahē are kept in many breeding facilities Punanga Manu o Te Anau Bird Sanctuary, ZEALANDIA, Orokonui Ecosanctuary, Pukaka/Mount Bruce Wildlife centre, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, and Wairakei Golf & Sanctuary. All these conservation facilities specialise in takahē conservation and are all situated in New Zealand. In terms of zoos, the Auckland zoo remains the only zoo in the world that houses takahē.

## Sources

* Takahē | Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takahe
* Southern Takahē | Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology - https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Porphyrio\_hochstetteri/
* North Island Takahē | Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North\_Island\_takah%C4%93
* IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22692808/170983662
* Auckland Zoo | Takahē - https://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/animals/takahe