Weka

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Weka
Gallirallus australis LC0248.jpg
In the South Island, New Zealand
Conservation status
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Order: Gruiformes
Family: Rallidae
Genus: Gallirallus
Species:
G. australis
Binomial name
Gallirallus australis
(Sparrman, 1786)
Gallirallus australis distribution map.svg
     Geographic range of the weka

A weka (Gallirallus australis), also known as the Maori hen or woodhen, is a flightless bird in the rail family. It is endemic to New Zealand. There are four subspecies. Weka are sturdy brown birds, about the size of a chicken. They feed mainly on invertebrates and fruit.[2]

Weka Media

References

  1. BirdLife International. 'Gallirallus australis'. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012 (2012)IUCN. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  2. Gill, Frank B. 2007. Ornithology. New York: Freeman, p. 30.

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