Takahē
Porphyrio hochstetteri
Threatened - Nationally Vulnerable
Twice thought extinct, the takahē is one of Aotearoa’s greatest conservation comeback stories. This large, flightless bird is a true alpine grassland specialist, known for its vibrant blue-green plumage, strong red beak and gentle, curious nature.
With fewer than 500 individuals in the wild, every takahē release is a milestone – including Southern Lakes Sanctuary’s work in helping to reintroduce takahē in the Rees Valley, marking the first time in decades they’ve roamed freely there.
Quick Facts:
- Takahē were thought to have vanished not just once, but twice – first around 1850, then again in 1898 – until a small population was rediscovered in 1948 in Fiordland’s remote Murchison Mountains.
- They can weigh up to 3 kg and use their strong beaks to cut and strip tussock grasses.
- They feed mostly on the starchy bases of tussocks and sedges. When snow covers their usual feeding grounds, they retreat into forested areas to dig up fern rhizomes. They also nibble on tussock seeds whenever they’re in season.
- Because their diet is so fibrous, takahē spend much of the day feeding – and produce an impressive amount of poo, sometimes up to 9 metres per day!
- Unlike the pūkeko (their more common relative), takahē are strictly flightless.
- Takahē are annual breeders, usually raising just one or two chicks each year. Pairs are loyal and fiercely protective of their home ranges, which can stretch anywhere from a few hectares to over 100, depending on how much food is around.
- Each new wild release is carefully managed as part of the Takahē Recovery Programme – with Southern Lakes Sanctuary playing a key role in expanding their alpine range.
Bringing takahē back to the Rees Valley represents hope, habitat restoration, and the power of long-term conservation – returning taonga species to the landscapes they once called home.
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