Wattlebird

Wattlebird

There are 3 species of wattlebird (more commonly known as the tieke, the kokako, and the huia). The first 2 species are threatened and the third is extinct. The tieke is approximately 10 inches in length, while the kokako is larger ranging from 17 to 18 inches in length. These remaining birds are ground feeders and are prey for rats as well as the continual destruction of primeval forests. The huia is of special interest for it is the only known species in which their were 2 kinds of bills within a single species. The male huia had a strong, straight bill, while the female had a curved bill. The last recorded live sighting of a huia was in 1907. The wattlebird is exclusive to New Zealand.
[BM] {FW}