Reproduction

Breeding takes place from late winter to early summer (August to January) but is dependent on a ready supply of food.

Pairs form for life. They will defend a territory against entry by other weka.

They will form a nest out of fine grass and sedge leaves under an object or in a tight burrow. Both members work together on building the nest or the male may complete this on his own.

In to their nest they deposit 2-3 eggs which are incubated for 26-28 days. The eggs are colored white or pinkish with spots of dark color across them.

Females complete the incubation during the morning and late afternoon with males completing the rest of the incubation and a majority of the parental care.

At hatching the chicks are covered by brownish-black down.

These fledge after 28 days. In some parts of their range a female may raise up to 4 broods of young each year. In others they will only produce a single clutch once every few years.

Behavior

They make a range of calls including a duet by a pair with the males call lower and slower than that of the female. They also make a booming and clucking sound.

These birds are able to swim well allowing them to cross water features up to the size of lakes even though they can't fly.

Predators and Threats

Introduced predators are seen as one of the largest threats to the weka. Ferrets, stoats and dogs all present a threat to these flightless birds.

When nervous they will flick their tail up in to the air. This is a trait they share with other members of the rail family.

Weka will come in to contact with humans as they raid vegetable gardens and steal food from pet bowls.

Poison baits laid to control invasive possums may be accidentally ingested by the weka.

In New Zealand the weka is offered full protection under the law though on some islands hunting has been legalized.

At present the population of the weka has been declining rapidly though this has slowed in recent years. At present no major changes to their population trend have been brought about by conservation efforts.

Currently the total population is estimated to number between 107,000 and 177,000 individuals.

Quick facts

Four subspecies of the weka are recognized. Each of these have slight variations in color. These subspecies are known as the North Island weka, the Western weka, the Stewart Island weka and the Buff weka.

The weka is also known as the woodhen.