An adult pukeko foraging for food. Photo: Matt Winter

Pukeko

June 2018

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June 2018

The pukeko is a native (self-introduced) species that has become almost as ‘Kiwi’ as a kiwi. A well-recognised and relatively common bird, it is a colourful character but does have an aggressive and quite nasty streak.

Conservation status: Native species classified as ‘not threatened’. Diet: The most common food sources are shoots, leaves, stems and seeds of a variety of grasses, though it also eats other animals – it is not uncommon for pukekos to catch and eat ducklings.  Features: The pukeko is a bird of the ‘rail’ family. It is similar in appearance to […]
June 2018

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June 2018

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