South Island Takahe
Porphyrio hochstetteri
South Island Takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) — Cranes & Rails of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The South Island Takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) is a member of the Rallidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 2.5 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Gruiformes
- Family Rallidae Rails, Crakes & Coots
- Genus Porphyrio
- Species hochstetteri
Where it lives
Montane southwestern South I.; reintroduced to satellites (New Zealand)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 2.5 kg
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Rallidae
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Not Evaluated
Not Evaluated
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The South Island Takahe is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The South Island Takahe is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The South Island Takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) is a species of bird in the Rallidae family, part of the order Gruiformes. It is found across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU montane sw South I.; reintroduced to satellites (New Zealand).
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 2.5 kg, with a wing length of about 23.3 cm and a tail of around 10.7 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 671 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the South Island Takahe?
The South Island Takahe is a very large bird that weighs around 2.5 kg.
Where does the South Island Takahe live?
The South Island Takahe is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU montane sw South I.; reintroduced to satellites (New Zealand), where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the South Island Takahe belong to?
The South Island Takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) belongs to the Rallidae family, in the order Gruiformes.
What does the South Island Takahe eat?
The South Island Takahe is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the South Island Takahe migrate?
The South Island Takahe is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the South Island Takahe endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
What sound does the South Island Takahe make?
1 real field recording of the South Island Takahe — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the South Island Takahe's range?
The South Island Takahe has a mapped global range of about 671 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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