Rails, Gallinules and Coots (Rallidae)

Weka (Gallirallus australis) - HBW 3, p. 161

French: Râle wéka German: Wekaralle Spanish: Rascón Weka

Taxonomy: Rallus australis Sparrman, 1786, Dusky Sound, South Island, New Zealand.
Includes G. troglodytes, now regarded as a black morph of present species. Considerable geographical variation, with up to eight races accepted in past; situation complicated by extensive individual variation. Four subspecies currently recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution:

greyi (Buller, 1888) - North I.
australis (Sparrman, 1786) - N & W South I.
hectori (Hutton, 1874) - formerly E coast and interior of South I but now confined to Chatham Is, where introduced.
scotti (Ogilvie-Grant, 1905) - Stewart I.

Vulnerable

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26 photos

Adult bird foraging in a meadow. Locality Buller Gorge, Murchison, South Island, New Zealand
Martin Främke 28 March 2012 22 weeks ago 4.3
Portrait of an adult with a freshly-caught cricket in its beak. Locality Buller Gorge, Murchison, South Island, New Zealand
Martin Främke 28 March 2012 22 weeks ago 4.2
Feeding in the grass next to the Coastal road Locality Paparoa National Park, South Island, New Zealand
Peter Strauss 8 February 2012 22 weeks ago 4.2
New Zealand Weka Locality Stewart Island, New Zealand
Glenda Rees 11 April 2010 1 year ago 4
A bird foraging on a beach Locality Ulva Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand (ssp scotti)
Les McNamara 4 weeks ago ADDED LAST MONTH 3.9
Bird crossing the road Locality Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, South Island, New Zealand (ssp australis)
Peter Strauss 31 January 2011 2 years ago 3.9
A weka on the beach at Stewart Island, New Zealand. Locality Stewart Island, New Zealand (ssp Stewart Island)
Glenda Rees 11 April 2010 1 year ago 3.8
An inquisitive bird with sand on its beak Locality Ulva Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand (ssp scotti)
Les McNamara 13 April 2013 4 weeks ago ADDED LAST MONTH 3.8
A close-up of a bird in our motel grounds. Locality Moana, South Island, New Zealand (ssp australis)
Ken Havard 3 November 2008 2 years ago 3.8
Weka Locality Cape Foulwind, South Island, New Zealand (ssp australis)
Christian Michael Mortensen 1 February 2011 36 weeks ago 3.8
New Zealand Weka Locality Stewart Island, New Zealand (ssp Stewart Island)
Glenda Rees 11 April 2010 1 year ago 3.8
A bird foraging on a beach Locality Ulva Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand (ssp scotti)
Les McNamara 13 April 2013 4 weeks ago ADDED LAST MONTH 3.7
A juvenile stretching the wing. Locality Blumine Island, Queen Charlotte Sound, South Island, New Zealand (ssp australis)
Josep del Hoyo 8 February 2013 5 weeks ago 3.6
A family of wekas on Ulva island. Locality Ulva Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand (ssp scotti)
Rémi Bigonneau 26 October 2010 1 year ago 3.6
A close-up of a juvenile. Locality Blumine Island, Queen Charlotte Sound, South Island, New Zealand (ssp australis)
Josep del Hoyo 8 February 2013 5 weeks ago 3.5
A weka near Punakaiki. Locality Paparoa National Park, South Island, New Zealand (ssp australis)
Rémi Bigonneau 25 December 2010 1 year ago 3.4
Feeding Locality Ulva Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand (ssp Scotti)
Pete George 11 February 2009 2 years ago 3.4
A bird on the forest ground. Locality Ulva Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand (ssp australis)
Josep del Hoyo 1 February 2013 7 weeks ago 3.3
Feeding. On an Island on Lake Wanaka. Paler than the sub-specis on Stewart Island Locality Lake Wanaka, South Island, New Zealand (ssp Hectori)
Pete George 5 February 2009 2 years ago 3
Searching for food Locality Ulva Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand (ssp Scotti)
Pete George 11 February 2009 2 years ago 3
preening Locality Ulva Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand (ssp scotti)
Georges Olioso 27 November 2005 4 years ago 3
adult between rocks Locality Ulva Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand (ssp scotti)
Georges Olioso 27 November 2005 4 years ago 3
Adult on the beach Locality Ulva Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand (ssp scotti)
Georges Olioso 27 November 2005 4 years ago 3
Bird foraging after picnickers had left. Locality Ship Cove, Picton, South Island, New Zealand (ssp australis)
Graham Little 29 December 2009 3 years ago 2.8
Foraging around the park Locality Punakaiki Nature Reserve, South Island, New Zealand
Lindsay Hansch 15 April 2009 2 years ago 2.7
pullus Locality Ulva Island, Stewart Island, New Zealand (ssp scotti)
Georges Olioso 27 November 2005 4 years ago 2.7