The New Zealand Pukeko Bird

The New Zealand Pukeko (Scientific name:Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus, Temminck, 1820). The translation from the Greek means 'purple purple black', though they are more blue than purple. Probably because of their boldness and beautiful colouring, they have struck a chord with the Kiwi psyche. Their images are found on all manner of art and craft works.It is a native of New Zealand, Australia and Tasmania. The name 'Pukeko' is of Maori origin. The New Zealand Pukeko is slightly larger than the Australian Swamphen of the same sub species . The Pukeko is beginning to lose its ability to fly according to Britannica however it can still fly. Even now, when threatened it will often walk away from danger rather than fly. When it does fly, it has a rather clumsy take off and landing. It tends to prefer short distances. If it were not for humans and the introduced predators (eg. stoat, rat) the Pukeko would appear to have little need for wings and would possibly evolve to become heavier and perhaps more like the Takahe over millions of years.