Identification
63cm (about 25in) 3kg (6.6lbs) - the largest living member of the rail family.
Looks like a very large Pukeko (Purple Swamphen), but with a massive scarlet bill and shield, paler towards the tip. Eyes are brown; legs and feet are red. Plumage colour ranges from an iridescent dark blue head, neck and breast, with peacock blue shoulders to an olive green and blue back and wings. White undertail.
Immature is duller with a dark grey bill and shield
Distribution
Natural range is now restricted to mountains west of Lake Te Anau, southwestern South Island (New Zealand).
History
This unusual New Zealand bird was once thought to be extinct. There were only four recorded sightings in the 19th century. After that, none were seen until 1948, when a few pairs were rediscovered in the Murchison Mountains, in Fiordland, South Island.
