The North Island takahē is an extinct species of flightless swamphen that was native to the North Island of New Zealand. It is closely related to the living South Island takahē.
Region
New Zealand (North Island)
Typical Environment
This species inhabited lowland to montane environments on the North Island, favoring dense wetlands, sedgelands, and the margins of forests and scrub. As a ground-dwelling, flightless rail, it relied on thick cover for foraging and protection. It likely used damp valley floors, fernlands, and flax and raupō swamps. Habitat alteration and drainage would have reduced the availability of suitable cover and food plants.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The North Island takahē was a large, flightless swamphen endemic to New Zealand’s North Island and is known from subfossil remains and Māori oral traditions. It was closely related to the living South Island takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri). Likely driven to extinction by hunting, habitat loss, and introduced predators, it probably disappeared in the 19th century. Its massive red bill and frontal shield were distinctive among rails.
Temperament
shy and territorial
Flight Pattern
flightless; runs with short fluttering wingbeats
Social Behavior
Believed to have formed monogamous pairs with strong territorial bonds. Nests would have been placed on the ground in dense vegetation near wetlands. Family groups likely included dependent juveniles accompanying adults for extended periods.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls were probably loud, resonant booms and honks used for contact and territorial advertisement, similar to the South Island takahē. Softer clucks and squeaks likely served close-range communication within pairs and family groups.
