Hope for incredibly rare bird after 'fantastic' discovery on 178-million-year-old island

The future of the endangered takahē looks a little brighter after five juveniles were raised on a sanctuary island.

Background: The island of Motutapu in New Zealand. Inset: Three takahē on Motutapu walking through the grass.
The island of Motutapu in New Zealand is home to 28 takahē. Source: DOC

Hope is growing for one of the world’s rarest birds after it was discovered five new juveniles had been successfully raised on a sanctuary island. The South Island takahē was thought to be extinct until a small remnant population was rediscovered in the 1940s in New Zealand.

A breeding population has been set up on Motutapu, a 178-million-year-old island that's one of the oldest land masses in the Hauraki Gulf. Located near Auckland, the 1,510 hectare landmass has no invasive predators and it is the largest of the 17 sanctuary sites and is home to 28 birds.

The hatchlings will be added to the world population on Tuesday, taking it to 500.

The arrival of European settlers almost obliterated takahē, with hunting, habitat destruction and introduced predators all significant contributors. Because the birds breed just once a year and pairs raise no more than two chicks, recovering the species has been slow.

Avian influenza also remains a threat, but a vaccine is being trialled to try and prevent it decimating the species.

An adult and two chicks at Burwood Takahē Centre.
Takahē chicks stay with their parents for a year. Source: Servane Kiss
  • Juveniles live with their parents for a year, learning how to survive.

  • Takahē are vegetarian and spend their days grazing on tussock and sedge grasses which have low nutrient levels.

  • It can live up to 22 years at sanctuary sites, and its peak breeding age is 5 to 14.

  • There were two species of takahē, but the North Island bird is extinct.

The new takahē were born in November to December last year. Department of Conservation ranger Glen Greaves said the result “bodes well for the future”.

“After a decade of ups and downs, it’s fantastic to see the takahē population on Motutapu flourishing,” he said. “Five juveniles being raised from five breeding pairs, along with several years of good adult survival, is comparable with the top tier of takahē sanctuary sites.”

A juvenile with a parent bird at Motutapu in 2023. A fence in the background.
A juvenile with a parent bird at Motutapu in 2023. Source: DOC

DOC believes habitat restoration on the island has directly contributed to the positive result. The ultimate plan is to create multiple self-sustaining wild populations within the takahē’s historic range.

Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the week’s best stories.