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This is a Weka. They are Not Hard to Photograph. (No, Rick is not feeding it. But it thinks he might!) Near Irimahuwhero scenic overlook, West Coast.
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This is a Weka. They are Not Hard to Photograph. (No, Rick is not feeding it. But it thinks he might!) Near Irimahuwhero scenic overlook, West Coast.
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This is a Weka. They are Not Hard to Photograph. (No, Rick is not feeding it. But it thinks he might!) Near Irimahuwhero scenic overlook, West Coast.
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This is a Weka. They are Not Hard to Photograph. (No, Rick is not feeding it. But it thinks he might!) Near Irimahuwhero scenic overlook, West Coast.
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This is a Weka. They are Not Hard to Photograph. (No, Rick is not feeding it. But it thinks he might!) Near Irimahuwhero scenic overlook, West Coast.
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This is a Weka. They are Not Hard to Photograph. (No, Rick is not feeding it. But it thinks he might!) Near Irimahuwhero scenic overlook, West Coast.
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This Weka was seen on the sandy backshore of Ulva Island, off the southern tip of South Island, New Zealand.
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The Weka is a flightless bird endemic to New Zealand, it is predominantly brown-colored with streaks of black on their wings, they also have piercing red-eyesâthey are similar to chickens in their appearance. They can be found both on the North and South Island of New Zealand which includes Matawai, Opotiki, Chatham Islands, the Fiordlands in the South Island, and Stewart Island. Populations of species in different regions have different characteristics such as the Stewart Island Weka which is a chestnut color. They primarily feed on plants and invertebrates such as leaves, grasses, berries, seeds, earthworms, beetles, as well as snails. Weka are also known for being very curious animals and so they will also search around houses and campsites for scraps of food or anything they can carry. Some people who live in areas where Weka are more prominent find these little guys annoying for this reason. Theses curious and feisty birds are an important aspect to New Zealandâs identity and have become one of the many main topics of animal conservation actions. Once a greater number of this species inhabited New Zealand but consequently the population has experienced a decline due to starvation from droughts, predation from bigger species such as dogs as well as being legally hunted on the Chatham Islandsâconservation attempts have been made. Currently aside from non-native predators such as stoats, domestic dogs have been the primary predators which further endanger this species. Such conservation attempts include translocations to different islands which has proven both beneficial in the survival of Weka but it also affects the conservation niche of other species due to their scavenger characteristics. The populations seem to fluctuate during times when the conditions are not favorable such as when food becomes scarce. However, during high food availability and the efforts to decrease predation, the Weka are slowly beginning to increase in numbers, though many more efforts are needed to fully protect this vulnerable population.
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Benson Range, in forest.
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Benson Range, in forest.
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Benson Range, in forest.