Story: Te tāhere manu – bird catching

Decoy method

Decoy method

This sketch showing the taki or decoy technique was made by Tāmati Ranapiri of Ngāti Raukawa. The bird at the bottom of the pole is a decoy. The fowler is hidden in the hut. At the top of the taki (pole) is the kākā that has been attracted by the decoy. Ranapiri noted that this method did not catch as many birds as the mutu snare.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Polynesian Society Collection
Reference: 80-115-12/6
Pencil sketch by Tamati Ranapiri

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Basil Keane, 'Te tāhere manu – bird catching - Attracting birds', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/11996/decoy-method (accessed 1 May 2024)

Story by Basil Keane, published 24 Sep 2007