Portal:New Zealand/Selected picture/Week 15, 2006

The Weka or woodhen (Gallirallus australis) is an endemic bird of New Zealand. It is a member of the rail family. There are four subspecies. Wekas are sturdy brown birds, about the size of a chicken. They are omnivores, feeding mainly on invertebrates and fruit, but are also willing to eat seeds, small vertebrates such as rats, birds and lizards. They are also known to scavenge carrion. Picture archive