The North Island snipe, also known as the little barrier snipe or tutukiwi, is an extinct species of bird in the sandpiper family, Scolopacidae, that was endemic to New Zealand.
Region
Hauraki Gulf, North Island, New Zealand
Typical Environment
Formerly restricted to Little Barrier Island, where it inhabited dense coastal to montane forest with deep leaf litter and soft, moist soils. It preferred damp gullies, fern beds, and seabird-influenced soils that were easy to probe. Ground cover and fallen logs provided crucial concealment from predators. As a flight-reluctant island snipe, it seldom ventured into open areas for long.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 700 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the Little Barrier snipe or tutukiwi, this small, cryptic shorebird was endemic to New Zealand and is now extinct. It was famous for the nocturnal 'hakawai' aerial display that produced a roaring, drumming sound with its tail feathers. The species likely vanished rapidly in the late 19th century after the introduction of predators, especially cats and rats, to Little Barrier Island.
Temperament
secretive and crepuscular
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats; reluctant flier that flushes briefly and drops back into cover
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs; likely monogamous during breeding. Nests were on the ground in dense vegetation, and clutches were small (typically two eggs). Males performed elaborate nocturnal aerial displays over territories.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Usually quiet, giving soft chips and thin whistles at close range. At night, males performed the 'hakawai' display, a high-altitude swoop producing a roaring, drumming sound generated by air over specialized tail feathers.
Plumage
Densely mottled and barred brown plumage with rufous and buff tones, providing excellent camouflage on the forest floor.
Diet
Primarily small invertebrates such as beetles, insect larvae, spiders, amphipods, and earthworms. It probed soft soil and leaf litter with a sensitive bill tip to detect hidden prey. Foraging involved rapid, sewing-machine-like probing and occasional gleaning from the surface.
Preferred Environment
Damp forest floor, seepages, and boggy patches with deep litter and humus. Often foraged along edges of clearings or among ferns where the soil remained moist and friable.
