Weka

For other uses see: Weka (disambiguation)

Weka
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: Animalia : Chordata : Aves : Gruiformes : Rallidae : Gallirallus : australis
Binomial name
Gallirallus australis (Sparrman, 1786)

The Weka or woodhen (Gallirallus australis) is an endemic bird of New Zealand. It is a member of the rail family. There are four subspecies.

Wekas are sturdy brown birds, about the size of a chicken: typically around 50 cm tall and weighing around 1 kg. They are omnivores, feeding mainly on invertebrates and fruit, but are also willing to eat seeds, small vertebrates such as rats, birds and lizards. They are also known to scavenge carrion.

Although Wekas can breed all year round, producing up to four broods in a year, they usually lay eggs between August and January. Both sexes help to incubate the eggs.

Wekas were once common throughout New Zealand, but the population in the North Island (subspecies G. a. greyi) has been heavily reduced, chiefly by habitat destruction. The North Island weka is a shy bird. The South Island subspecies are more common, and bolder - they have a reputation for being very cheeky, and will go through things to find food - even if they are your things!