Belonging to the same genus as other island rails like the Guam rail, the weka is a ground-dwelling bird that’s known just as much for its playful behavior as for its survival skills. With its stout body, strong legs, and sharp beak, the weka may not look particularly flashy, but it makes up for its personality.

Wekas are roughly the size of a chicken. They have brown, speckled plumage, which helps them blend into the forest floor, and a short, stubby tail that often bobs as they walk. While they can’t fly, wekas are excellent runners and surprisingly strong swimmers. They live in a variety of habitats — from coastal dunes and scrublands to forests and farmlands — and are omnivorous scavengers, eating everything from fruits and insects to eggs, small animals, and even food scraps left by humans.

One of the weka’s most well-known traits is its cheeky behavior. Wekas are famously curious and often approach people, especially if they smell food or spot something shiny. They’re notorious for stealing small items like keys, jewelry, or campsite gear and carrying them off into the bush — which has earned them a reputation as the “feathered thieves” of New Zealand. But their boldness also makes them excellent survivors, able to take advantage of different food sources and environments.

Wekas are excellent parents. Both males and females share nest-building duties and take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks. Chicks are fluffy and black when hatched, and they follow their parents around closely as they learn how to forage and explore. Another fun detail — wekas have a loud, grating call that sounds like a series of repeated squawks, which they use to defend territory or communicate over long distances.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

New Zealand

107,000 – 177,000

Official estimate

VU

2018