Origin
New Zealand
Found
Around New Zealand, with subspecies around the world
Status
Not threatened
About
Other names: Australasian swamphen, Purple swamphen, pook.
Porphyrio melanotus.
Most common member of the New Zealand rail family. Pūkeko are good swimmers and fast runners but reluctant fliers.
Pūkeko are abundant around New Zealand from urban areas to farmland, with subspecies found around the world.
Threats: One of the few native birds to have flourished since the arrival of humans, adapting well to new habitats like open grassland. Adult pūkeko don’t have many predators and will fight hard to defend their offspring. They have been seen attacking cats and stoats.
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