The South Island takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri) is a flightless swamphen indigenous to New Zealand and the largest living member of the rail family. It is often known by the abbreviated name takahē, which it shares with the recently extinct North Island takahē. The two takahē species are also known as notornis.

The flightless takahē (South Island takahē; Porphyrio hochstetteri), is the world’s largest living rail (a family of small-medium sized ground-dwelling birds with short wings, large feet and long toes). The North Island takahē (moho; P. mantelli) is unfortunately extinct.

Takahe appear to pair for life, usually lay only two eggs a year, and in the wild barely manage to bring up even a single chick. “Takahe evolved from a pukeko-like bird, and being able to watch the two co­exist has been a unique opportunity,” Steve …

takahe, (Porphyrio hochstetteri), rare flightless bird of New Zealand that was thought to have become extinct in the late 1800s but that was rediscovered in 1948 in several remote valleys on South Island.

Thought to be extinct not once but twice, the takahē's remarkable story of survival and rediscovery is a testament to the resilience of nature. Historic remains show that takahē were once widespread, living from sea level to the sub-alpine in areas of native grassland. There were two species of takahē in New Zealand.

The South Island takahe is a rare relict of the flightless, vegetarian bird fauna which once ranged New Zealand. Four specimens were collected from Fiordland between 1849 and 1898, after which takahē were considered to be extinct until famously rediscovered in the Murchison Mountains, west of Lake Te Anau, in 1948.

Jan 5, 2012 · South Island takahē are the largest living rails in the world. (Ref. 1) The name is derived from Māori “ takahea “, which means “to stand up tall and stamp one’s feet on the ground”. (Ref. 2) These birds are very colorful. The plumage from the head to the breast is deep blue to peacock-blue. The wings and back are olive-green and blue.

Feb 11, 2019 · Takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri) once lived throughout the South Island. Their original habitats were the bushy edges of lowland swamps and rivers. Today’s remnant takahē population lives in the harsh environment of the Murchison Mountains in Fiordland.

Considered extinct until it was famously rediscovered in the Murchison Mountains in 1948. The wild population remains in the Murchison Mountains; the species has been translocated to predator-free offshore islands and mainland sanctuaries, and recently reintroduced to northwest Kahurangi National Park.

Feb 12, 2024 · Explore the inspiring journey of the Takahe, from near extinction to conservation icon, highlighting New Zealand's dedicated efforts to save this bird.