Takahē | 台北市立動物園資訊網

Themajordifferencesbetweenthemaretheirsize,thecolouringoftheirplumageandtheshapeoftheirbodies.Muchlargerandmorecolourful,adulttakahēare ...

Our bird keepers also provide health checks for wild takahē each year on behalf of DOC. This work spans six sites in the North Island and includes taking blood, checking weights, vaccinating, and attaching leg bands and transmitters so these wide-ranging birds can be located and identified when we arrive to do follow up checks. These health checks are so important in ensuring the wellbeing of takahē as with such a small population every bird is precious. 

Many kiwis haven’t had the opportunity to see one of these beautiful birds up close and because of this takahē can often be confused with their more common cousins the pūkeko. The major differences between them are their size, the colouring of their plumage and the shape of their bodies. Much larger and more colourful, adult takahē are about the size of a large hen and can weigh over 3kg. 

Protecting takahē and all of Aotear...