Story: Large forest birds

Takahē

Takahē

The takahē’s head is royal blue, and it has a bright red frontal shield and bill, which fade to pink. Its bill is much stockier than that of the pūkeko, its close relative. The takahē is the world’s largest surviving rail.

Using this item

Department of Conservation
Reference: 10030905
Photograph by Rod Morris

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching, 'Large forest birds - Takahē', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/10563/takahe (accessed 28 March 2024)

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015, updated 1 Aug 2023