Background Tiritiri Matangi homepage    An Island Environment Geology Inner Hauraki Gulf Offshore islands Island sanctuary Marine reserves Tiritiri Matangi marine reserve Hauraki Gulf weather   People and the Environment Lighthouse story Meet DoC's Ray Walter Restoration Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi Visitors Weather recording Weed control Land use   Threatened Species Birds of Tiritiri Matangi Classification systems Bellbird pics Bellbird facts Hihi pics Hihi facts Hihi release Kokako pics Kokako facts Tui pics Tui facts Kereru pics Kiwi pics Penguin pics Takahe pics Takahe or pukeko? Wattle birds NZ honeyeating birds Updated: September 6, 2001

Pukeko ... or ... Takahe? Pukeko or takahe - what's the difference? There are many pukeko on Tiritiri Matangi. At first glance they look a bit like the takahe but although they belong to the same family they don't behave or look the same. Pukeko and takahe both feed on grasses as adults Pukeko breed 2 or 3 times in a season with 5 -6 eggs in each clutch, chicks hatch in 24 days and fledge and fly at 12 weeks. The chicks eat small fish/animals in their early years and then turn vegetarian. As an adult, the birds are about 1/2 metre tall - the size of a hen. Takahe breed once a season and only 70 - 80% of the eggs are fertile. Chicks hatch in 30 days and takahe can't fly. Chicks eat insects in their early life and then turn vegetarian. They are 3 years old before they breed. Adult takahe are over 60cm tall and are three times the weight of a pukeko. Print-friendly version of this page