Kotoreke / Marsh Crake

Porzana pusilla

At Risk - Declining

Secretive and seldom seen, the marsh crake, or koitareke, is a tiny, elusive wetland bird that slips silently through reeds and rushes across Aotearoa. About the size of a sparrow, koitareke are masters of stealth, relying on dense vegetation and still waters to hide from view. Their shy nature means we often hear them before we ever see them.

Quick Facts:

• Marsh crakes are rarely spotted but their sharp, repeated “trik-trik-trik” calls give away their presence at dusk or dawn.
• Weigh just 40 grams, yet navigate thick wetlands with ease on long toes built for balancing on floating vegetation.
• Nest deep in wetland cover, making them highly vulnerable to habitat destruction and introduced predators.
• A healthy koitareke population signals thriving, undisturbed freshwater wetlands.

Protecting koitareke means restoring and defending our remaining wetlands – quiet sanctuaries where rare species like these can live, nest and go about their secretive lives.

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