Displaying items by tag: Swamp Hen
Friday, 09 March 2018 08:22
Birds of a different feather
Here are a couple of birds most of us have heard of.
Many of us have seen them, and their colours and in some cases, their secrecy make them very interesting.
There is the Pukeko or Swamphen
You often see them running into the long grass at the side of the road as you drive by, and sometimes you might see one looking very squashed right there on the road.
There are plenty of them, but it is still a good idea to avoid them. Squashed Pukeko is not a good thing to see.
Then there is the Takahe or Notornis mantelli.
These birds are more rare, very rare in fact, mostly found in Foirdland west of Lake Te Anau.
Their head is indigo blue. Its back and upper tail are olive green, and under the tail is a white patch. It also has a scarlet and pink beak, and red legs and feet.
You will know one if you are ever fortunate enough to actually see one.
So these are two birds to keep a look out for during your travels.
Published in
Issue 174