Pukeko Facts
New Zealands most popular coloured bird is often chosen as a comical ornament for gardeners. Its bright cheerful colours are a wonderful contrast for artwork.
The Pukeko was chosen by us for many reasons the most important being the way in which they bring up their young.
One nest cared for by many female and adolesent birds. Baby chicks are fed and reared by not only their mothers but an entire brood.
Also known as the swamp hen these extemely adaptable birds frequent many parts of New Zealand and are often seen on road sides and streams.
They can fly and swim, although not the most graceful bird in flight with legs dangling along behind them, and making loud squawking noises. When threatend the pukeko flaps it's wings and shows off it's powerful beak, they will stand up for their young and protect the nest from hawks and other preditors.
Pukekos feet are big, they have long toes that are excellent at walking over squishy, muddy ground. They may also use their clawed feet for fighting with Pukeko they don't know or trust.
Pukekos are omnivores, which means they eat plants and animals. They mainly eat seeds, roots, and shoots, but will gobble up insects and spiders if they spy them in the grass.
They will use those big feet when feeding too, holding shoots and ripping them with that powerful beak.
The pukeko belongs to the rail family, along with the Takahe and the Weka. the Takahe is much larger and three times heavier than the Pukeko.
Takahe have lived in New Zealand longer than the Pukeko. Over many years they have forgotten how to fly. The visiable difference is also the green back of the Takahe, rather than the Pukekos black.
As the Pukeko grows and matures it's colours become more intense, chicks are almost completely black, juveniles look as though they have soot on their backs and legs.
As they mature they get orange to red bills and legs. The bill on a male is slightly larger than the female, however it is very difficult to notice any difference. You can hear the difference, the Male's call is crow like.