Pukeko (Porphyrio porphyrio)

Also known as the New Zealand swamp hen, this member of the rail family is found throughout the country. Almost every time I have a run at Snells I will see at least one pukeko. More often than not, they are beside or even on the road. Occasionally they are in the fields, or in the undergrowth by the parks I pass. They are also found near wet ground in city parks.

New Zealand has six species of rail, the most famous being the takahe (Notornis) which was believed to be extinct as none was seen after 1900 until 1948. Since then it has been subject to conservation efforts and while still classified as endangered, the population is growing. It is the largest member of the rail family.

Pukeko are mainly indigo blue; the head and wings are black with a greenish gloss. The feathers beneath the tail are white. When disturbed, pukeko flick their tail and the white feathers become more prominent. Bill, legs, and feet are scarlet and the eyes ruby red. The only difference between males and females is that the former are slightly bigger. Although ungraceful in becoming airborne, pukeko fly strongly as well as being fast runners. Despite their large feet not being webbed, pukeko are good swimmers. Their usual call is a piercing squawk.


They eat the soft parts of aquatic vegetation, grasses, clover, berries, and seeds. They may also eat animals, such as insects, worms, eels and, occasionally, very young birds and birds' eggs. There is a lengthy breeding season and the nests consist of untidy bowls of grass or other locally available vegetation. Four to nine buff-coloured eggs blotched with purple are usually laid, but when pairs nest close together, egg stealing may occur. Sometimes two or three hens may share a nest, all these females apparently being mated to the one cock. Under such circumstances up to 16 eggs may be found in one nest. Both sexes share the task of incubation, the period of which is about four weeks.

Pukeko are frequently seen beside roads, or crossing roads. Including motorways. They are not infrequently hit by vehicles and killed. Their cumbersome take off means that they unsuccessfully try to outrun vehicles.

This one was walking on the country road, accompanied by another; as I approached them, neither took fright. I was able to get close enough to get a reasonable picture with the small Panasonic. I took a couple of steps to get closer, and it was into the undergrowth and through to the field beyond and all I got was a blurry shot of tail feathers!