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Story: Land birds – overview

Takahē (1st of 2)

Takahē

The takahē and the pūkeko or purple swamp hen are related. After the ancestors of takahē arrived in New Zealand, probably by flying from the west, their descendants became flightless over many thousands of years, evolving into the endemic takahē.

About this item

Private collection
Photograph by Penny Carnaby

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How to cite this page:

Kerry-Jayne Wilson. 'Land birds – overview', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 25-Sep-11
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/land-birds-overview/3/3/1