Pūkeko

Found on damp grassy flats and wetland edges near the shore.

Uncommon on Kawau.

Story

Pūkeko belong to a group of swamphens found from the Mediterranean through Africa and Asia to Polynesia. Though reluctant to fly, they can cover long distances and reach offshore islands.

Behaviour

Loud, territorial and social. Groups defend a shared territory and several females may lay in one nest, with everyone helping raise the chicks. They prefer to run or hide rather than fly.