Heteralocha acutirostris
TAXONOMY
Heteralocha acutirostris Gould, 1837.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Huia dimorphe; German: Hopflappenvogel; Spanish:
Huia.
PHYSICAL
CHARACTERISTICS
18 in (45 cm). Bluish
black plumage, white
band across the tail
end, and bright orange
wattles.
DISTRIBUTION
New Zealand.
HABITAT
Temperate forest.
BEHAVIOR
Actively walked and hopped but was a weak flier. Occurred as
non-migratory pairs that defended a breeding territory.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Fed on insects and other arthropods found on the forest floor
or in foliage and also ate fruits.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Built a cup-shaped nest of sticks on the ground or low in a
shrub. Laid two to three eggs.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Extinct.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Revered by the Maori culture, but was hunted for feathers and
as food.
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