The takahē’s ecological niche
Takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri) once lived throughout the South Island. Their original habitats were the bushy edges of lowland swamps and rivers. Today’s remnant takahē population lives in the harsh environment of the Murchison Mountains in Fiordland. This wild, alpine habitat is less than ideal, but scientists believe that takahē survived there because of its remote location. The rugged area was relatively isolated from the main threats to takahē: humans, deer and introduced predators.
The surviving population has likely been in the Murchison Mountains long enough to adapt to the mountainous conditions. The Department of Conservation notes that takahē are well suited to cold, damp environments.
Ecological niche
An ecological niche is the role and position a species has in its environment and how the environment supports the species’ needs.
In their natural alpine habitat, takahē get their food and shelter from alpine grassland species such as snow tussocks, sedges and rushes. The food is low in nutrients. As a result, takahē need to eat continuously – up to 19 hours a day. The food is also very fibrous and can’t be digested – takahē produce around 8 metres of poo daily. Droppings deposited in rows are called latrines.
Takahē poo
Takahē mostly eat plants, and they have a very fibrous diet. They can produce 7–9 metres of poo each day. A row of takahē droppings is called a latrine.
When heavy snow covers their alpine grazing areas, takahē move down to the beech forests. There they eat the starchy rhizomes of thousand-leaved fern (Hypolepis millefolium) and cutty grass (Carex coriacea).
Takahē are mostly herbivorous but they do collect insects such as beetles, wētā and moths to feed to their chicks. Takahē are naturally predated by kārearea (New Zealand falcon).
Breeding pairs of takahē build raised ground nests using snow tussock leaves. Males and females take turns incubating the eggs and share chick rearing.
New homes away from the alpine tussock habitat
Takahē have been moved or translocated to various places around New Zealand. In 2018, takahē were released into the tussock grasslands of Gouland Downs in Kahurangi National Park at the top of the South Island. The site was chosen because the habitat is quite similar to the Murchison Mountains, although the climate is warmer.
A second wild population
Takahē were successfully translocated to the upper South Island in 2018. The clutch of eggs laid within the first breeding season is a positive sign the birds are adapting well.
Takahē have also been relocated to offshore islands and mainland sanctuaries. These habitats are considerably different from alpine tussock areas, but they are also pest free. The birds prefer to live in grassland areas but spend some time in the forests too. They feed on pasture grasses and may receive supplementary (top-up) feeding.
Nature of science
The Department of and its predecessors have trialled various locations and habitats for takahē translocations. The staff involved have carefully considered the needs of takahē and how they will fit into the new environments. Some translocations have been more successful than others. Scientists use knowledge from each translocation to inform future efforts.
Structural and behavioural adaptations
Takahē evolved in the absence of ground-dwelling predators. This meant that, like kiwi, takahē developed a large body size, small wings and strong legs. On average, an adult takahē weighs 2–3.5 kg and stands about 500 mm high. This large body size is an advantage to species that live in cold environments.
Takahē beak
The takahē’s strong beak is essential for cutting and stripping tough tussock grasses.
Their beaks are also very strong. Takahē use their beaks to snip softer grasses and herbs that are down low to the ground. Takahē also 'tiller' by tugging the side blades (called tillers) from tussock plants. Takahē hold a blade down with one foot and use 10-15 kg of force to remove the tough outer sheaf. This exposes the inner core – the most nutritious part of the plant. When the grasses are in seed, takahē strip the seeds by running their beaks along the stem. These methods of feeding do not destroy the native grasses. The birds browse from the side rather than from above where the growing shoots are. The native plants also evolved along with the takahē, so they’ve adapted to the birds’ habits too.
Takahē live in breeding pairs or small family groups. They are very territorial and defend their breeding habitats, which can range from 5–60 hectares depending on the quality of the habitat. Their territorial behaviours mean that only a few takahē can live on offshore islands or in mainland sanctuaries because of the limited amount of land available.
Activity ideas
Learn more about native bird adaptations and then put the new knowledge to practice with the activity Classifying bird adaptations.
In the activity Abiotic and biotic factors for takahē, students identify and group the factors associated with the Murchison Mountains environment and the wild takahē population.
To access other Hub resources featuring takahē, check out the article Takahē – an introduction and the interactive Planning pathways using takahē resources.
Useful links
These websites provide general information about the takahē:
Read these journal articles for more detailed information about the takahē and its ecological niche:
Home range size and carrying capacity of the South Island takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) on Tiritiri Matangi Island (To read the full-text of this research, you can request a copy directly from the authors.)
These websites have more information about why takahē are translocated and about successful transfers:
The New Zealand Geographic article Road to recovery provides an update on the takahē living in the Gouland Downs in Kahurangi National Park.
