Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Weka

This post is for World Bird Wednesday.

Trip Part 12

Weka are one of New Zealand's flightless birds. Weka Gallirallus australis) are part of the Rail family and are sometimes known as Woodhen. There are four sub-species and considerable variation of color. They are about the size of a domestic hen. Like other flightless birds in New Zealand they are under threat from introduced animals/pests such as cats, dogs, rats, ferrets, and stoats.
We saw these two on the road just around from Punakaiki on the West Coast (more about this place in the next post). They were completely focused on each other and seemed completely oblivious of the traffic.

30 comments:

  1. Wow, they're incredible. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  2. Wonderful to see... your images are fantastic.

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  3. really neat birds! quite the display of feathers, too!

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  4. That is amazing. Incredible birds and shots. I've never seen these in my life! They remind me of that dinosaur from Jurassic Park. Cool post!

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  5. I am always fascinated by your birds down under. These did not dissappoint.

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  6. Great shots Mick! A assume the one showing off is the male? Nothing like being in the right place at the right time with your camera eh?

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  7. I wondered what your bird was - like a cross between an odd duck and a penguin. Great to see some NZ birds, in that field I am totally uneducated.

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  8. Fascinating birds! What a show they put on for you!

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  9. Very interesting display, great capture.

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  10. Wow, talking about strutting your stuff...maybe he thinks he's a peacock! Sorry, I couldn't resist:) Unusual and interesting things you're posting Mick!

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  11. Oh, wow, what cool birds, Mick! They almost look a bit like dinosaurs.

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  12. Wow, I've never seen birds with that kind of feathers! How fascinating...and your images are wonderful!!

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  13. That's an impressive bird Mick and some great pictures. Shame about how it's threatened because of us.

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  14. Great shots, perfect for WBW! Happy Easter to you!

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  15. What a cool sighting. Awesome captures of the rails. Thanks for sharing.

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  16. Greetings from Oman!!!

    Great images...will be back soon:)

    Shantana

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  17. Great images Mick! I have never seen these birds.

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  18. Such beautiful and interesting birds! You captured the fantastic!

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  19. interesting psot Mick. I never heard of this bird before. Strange! How did they manage to thrive despite all cats and other predetars?

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  20. Fantastic shots, Mick! Isn't the fellow dashing?

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  21. What an interesting looking bird and you take wonderful photos always...Michelle

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  22. Great catch! Completely new bird for me. I appreciate your excellent pictures Mick!
    Cheers!

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  23. WoW...one trying to impress the other, perhaps??

    you sure did time this perfectly!

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  24. That is some display!
    What lovely feather color and pattern.
    Fantastic captures Mick!

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  25. Oh what a lovely species, and you got some terrific images!
    Happy Easter season~

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  26. What amazing wonderful birds. It's a birders Paradise over there Mick!

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  27. Really interesting birds, never heard of 'em before!

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