Photo: Jörg Hempel / CC BY-SA 3.0 de (Wikimedia Commons)
Weka
Gallirallus australis
Weka (Gallirallus australis) — Cranes & Rails of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 6 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Weka (Gallirallus australis) is a member of the Rallidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 876 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Gruiformes
- Family Rallidae Rails, Crakes & Coots
- Genus Gallirallus
- Species australis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 876 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Rallidae
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Weka is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of semi-open forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Weka is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Weka (Gallirallus australis) is a member of the Rallidae family, within the order Gruiformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU North, South, Stewart and satellites (New Zealand).
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 876 g, with a wing length of about 16.7 cm and a tail of around 11.7 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 42,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Weka?
The Weka is a large bird that weighs around 876 g.
Where does the Weka live?
The Weka is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU North, South, Stewart and satellites (New Zealand), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Weka belong to?
The Weka (Gallirallus australis) belongs to the Rallidae family, in the order Gruiformes.
What does the Weka eat?
The Weka is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Weka migrate?
The Weka is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Weka endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Weka make?
1 real field recording of the Weka — 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 Weka's range?
The Weka has a mapped global range of about 42,000 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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